Jičín District: Ponds, Sandstone and Castles

The Jičín District brings together pond landscapes, striking sandstone formations and historic sights in the surrounding area. The district town of Jičín is the natural centre of the area and a good starting point for exploring the natural attractions, romantic ruins, castles and chateaux, as well as the observation towers and viewpoints of Český ráj. The best location for your accommodation therefore depends mainly on whether you want to focus on rock landscapes, water, cycling or culture.

Ponds and sandstone: two sides of the landscape

Ponds are a defining feature of the Jičín District and are primarily used for recreation. Examples include the Jinolické rybníky, the Kníže pond in Jičín and Hlíza in Dřevěnice, where there are public swimming areas. These places show how water is part of the district’s landscape. If you are planning a day of swimming, check the conditions locally, as facilities may change.

The Prachovské skály shape a different kind of landscape: their sandstone formations make up the eastern part of Český ráj in the Jičín District. The sandstone towers reach heights of up to 40 metres. Well-maintained, marked hiking trails lead through the area, complemented by information panels and viewpoints. Car parks are located near the entrances. The main car park is by the Turistická chata, right at the entrance to the rocks. The Prachovské skály can be reached by car or bus; check local conditions before setting out.

There are routes of 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 kilometres to choose from, as well as a route suitable for pushchairs. This is separate from the Pelíškova dětská naučná stezka: opened in July 2024, it is also suitable for pushchairs and runs from the Tourist Information Centre, past the Pelíšek reservoir and back via the path by the Čajový altán. The route is one kilometre long and takes about 90 minutes. Check current conditions and accessibility before your trip.

Views and trails around Jičín

Several marked hiking trails lead from Jičín to Vrch Zebín. By car, you can only go as far as the Zebín farmstead, about one kilometre from the summit. From the top, the view extends to the Prachovské skály, Trosky, Kumburk, Loreta and Kozlov, as well as other sights in the area. Another excursion goes through a landscaped area to Valdštejnská lodžie, up Vrch Zebín and to the Milohlídka observation tower on Vrch Čeřovka.

Cyclists can also enjoy a clearly described tour: it runs through the Mariánská zahrada from Jičín via Staré Hrady and Markvartice, returning to Jičín. The Mariánská zahrada is a Baroque landscape composition dating from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, associated with Count František Josef Schlik. Covering more than 100 km², the area includes small religious buildings hidden in the woods, connected by avenues and rides that have almost disappeared. The landscape’s history and its present-day appearance give this cycling tour a different focus from a visit to the sandstone rocks.

Museums, fairy tales and chateaux

In Jičín, the Regional Museum and Gallery documents the cultural and natural values, as well as the development and history of the Jičínsko region and the southern part of the Český ráj Geopark. The town is also closely associated with the fairy tales of Václav Čtvrtek and the drawings of Radek Pilař. At the Rumcajsův svět gallery, children can meet the characters Rumcajs, Manka and Cipísek. Nearby, the Nová Paka Town Museum features permanent exhibitions on geological development, gemstones, volcanism, regional history and spiritualism, as well as the Novopacký betlém.

The historic sites offer a range of different attractions. Hrad a zámek Staré Hrady combines a 14th-century Gothic castle with a Renaissance chateau added later and an outer bailey. It offers fairy-tale and historical guided tours, as well as an educational trail through a fairy-tale cellar vault with sound and lighting effects. Dětenice Chateau originated as a 13th-century fortress, was converted into a Renaissance chateau towards the end of the 16th century, and was remodelled into its present-day late Baroque form between 1762 and 1765. Its 14 fully furnished rooms display al secco and al fresco wall paintings, as well as Baroque and Rococo stucco work. Jousting tournaments are held seasonally on the tournament grounds; check the dates before visiting.

When choosing a base, it is also helpful to consider transport links: tourist bus route 510 connects Jičín with the Prachovské skály, the area around Sobotka and Kost Castle; selected services carry bicycles. Seasonal timetables and bicycle transport arrangements may change. If your trip is focused on a single experience, the surroundings of that particular attraction may instead determine your choice.

Discover more places in the Jičín District

Horní Nová Ves, Kumburský Újezd, Lazne Belohrad, Nova Paka, Pecka, Podulsi, Soberaz, Zeleznice, Doubrava, Drevenice, Hořice V Podkrkonoší, Libun, Miletin, Tetín U Jičína, Jicineves, Parezska Lhota, Podhorni Ujezd A Vojice, Kyje, Liban, Mladejov V Cechach, Stara Paka, Mlynec, Podkost, Rytírova Lhota, Meziluzi, Prachov, Ubislavice, Zelenecká Lhota, Mladějov, Jitschin, Luzany U Jicína, Ostružno, Mlázovice, Jinolice, Veliš U Jičína, Žeretice, Žlunice, Šárovcova Lhota, Brada-Rybníček, Cerekvice Nad Bystřicí, Chomutice, Dílce, Dětenice, Dobrá Voda U Hořic, Holín, Jeřice, Kacákova Lhota, Konecchlumí, Kopidlno, Kozojedy, Libošovice, Lukavec U Hořic, Bystřice, Milovice U Hořic, Ohaveč, Ostroměř, Kovač, Samšina, Slatiny, Sobotka, Střevač, Třtěnice, Úlibice, Podhradí U Jičína, Vršce, Vysoké Veselí, Radim, Choteč, Bašnice, Běchary, Údrnice, Bílsko U Hořic, Zámostí-Blata, Boháňka, Brdy, Březina U Jičína, Bříšťany, Budčeves, Bukvice, Butoves, Červená Třemešná, Češov, Újezd Pod Troskami, Dolní Lochov, Holovousy, Rokytňany, Sběř, Markvartice U Sobotky, Tuř, Cholenice, Úhlejov, Chyjice, Kněžnice, Kbelnice, Kostelec, Sukorady, Lískovice, Nemyčeves, Nevratice, Ohařice, Osek, Třebnouševes, Petrovičky, Rašín, Rohoznice, Sedliště, Sekeřice, Slavhostice, Sobčice, Staré Hrady, Staré Místo, Staré Smrkovice, Vidochov, Svatojanský Újezd, Valdice, Vitiněves, Volanice, Židovice, Bukovina U Pecky, Stupná, Stav, Zámezí, Hubálov, Záhuby, Vřesník.

For the wider travel overview: Hradec Králové.