Karlovice: Rock City, Hiking Trails and Culture

Karlovice between Rock City and Floodplain Landscape

If you choose Karlovice for a stay in Český ráj, nature, hiking routes, cycling paths and historic sites come together within a compact thematic area. The Hruboskalsko Nature Reserve is particularly prominent. It covers 219.2 hectares, extends across the cadastral areas of Hrubá Skála, Kacanovy, Karlovice and Turnov, and includes the central area of the Hruboskalské skalní město rock city. The reserve's distinctive rock groups include Maják, Kapelník and Dračí skály.

The Sedmihorské mokřady wetlands are a separate landscape focus. They are located in the floodplain of the Libuňka River in the municipality of Karlovice-Sedmihorky in the Liberec Region. More than 120 bird species have been recorded in this area; the Sedmihorské mokřady are considered exceptionally valuable from a biological, ecological and landscape perspective. The Sedmihorky geological site is also designated as a geotourism attraction and an excursion site.

Hiking and Cycling from Sedmihorky

A blue-marked hiking trail runs through Karlovice towards Kozákov, Sedmihorky and onward to the Hruboskalské skalní město rock city. Lázně Sedmihorky is a starting point for hiking and cycling trails and also one of the starting points for visiting the Český ráj region as a whole. The Golden Trail of the Bohemian Paradise runs along the ridge trail through the rock city. There are several viewpoints along this route offering expansive views across the landscape.

For a cycling trip, the 26.5 km circular route “Malý okruh Hruboskalskem – cesta rájem” is described particularly clearly: it starts and ends in Sedmihorky. The “Malý okruh Hruboskalskem” cycling circuit also leads to Valdštejn Castle, the viewpoints of the Hruboskalské skalní město rock city, Bukovina Arboretum and Hrubá Skála Chateau. This makes it possible to combine natural and cultural destinations within a single route concept, without treating the individual sights as independent excursion destinations.

Spa History and Historical Traces

The hydrotherapy spa Lázně Sedmihorky opened on 15 May 1842; its German name is Bad Wartenberg. In the second half of the 19th century, Lázně Sedmihorky developed into an important cultural and social centre where prominent personalities met for spa stays and social visits. The CHKO Český ráj Information Centre is located in Bukovina Arboretum, Sedmihorky 100, in Karlovice-Sedmihorky.

The history of Karlovice also includes Přáslavice. The Church of St George in Přáslavice was founded in the 14th century; Přáslavice is listed as a district of Karlovice. The church is the only surviving remnant of the former medieval settlement of Přáslavice. On the local road from the Church of St George to the village centre stands a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in a niche carved into a block of rock. The site is known as Přáslavice, a vanished village; the statue was made in 1763. For the Church of St George, a schedule of services held on the third Saturday of every month at 3 p.m. has been recorded.

Another memorial is the monument to MUDr. Antonín Šlechta. It consists of a realistic bronze bust of the founder of Lázně Sedmihorky on a solid granite pedestal with small fountains on the sides. The monument was unveiled in 1890 and created by Josef Václav Myslbek.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

Other destinations for your research include Svojek, Lomnice Nad Popelkou, Pelešany, Troskovice, Radostná Pod Kozákovem, Rovensko Pod Troskami, Rakousy and Prikry.

For the higher-level travel overview: Semily District.