Pravčická Gate

Edward Kopka

21 Nov 2024 • 3 min read

From Prague we did a day trip to this natural sandstone arch in Czechia called the Pravčická Gate. It is situated in the north of the country, right near the German border. It was one of the top hikes recommended in Czechia and we were excited to explore it. I also later found out that this archway was used for a landscape scene in the Chronicles of Narnia movie; the Czech Republic was primarily used to represent Narnia in its long winter, while New Zealand was used for the summer scenes.

We left early in the morning, taking a train to Děčín then from there a bus to the trail head. From the bus stop the archway was about a two kilometer walk. The first part was along a valley floor that had been burnt out by a recent wildfire. Next we walked higher up following the mountain contour but steadily climbing as we went. The final part of the hike, just before the arch, was the steepest bit, with the path making multiple switchbacks.

A wildfire had recently burnt through this part of Czechia, parts of the hike went through these ashen forests.

This view is looking up towards the arch (hidden behind a tree) and the restaurant building next to it.

The view from the path as we approached the arch.

The Pravčická Gate is a thriving tourist location and at the arch there is a building with a restaurant along with many picnic tables, even right under the arch. We spent some time there and had lunch, then we walked to some of the view points on the nearby escarpments. Form there we had fantastic views of the arch and the surrounding countryside.

This photo was taken while standing beneath the arch, showing the stone support of one end of the structure.

One of the cliff faces seen from the arch, we would later go to that viewpoint visible at the top of the cliff.

Another view of the nearby cliffs. I liked how there was this one giant tree growing on the cliff in defiance of gravity. All along the top is the hiking trail to the various viewpoints.

The Pravčická Gate as seen from the cliffs, from a few different view points.

A close up of a tree growing on the sandstone pillar of the arch.

Taken from the look out points, these sandstone cliffs were prevalent throughout this region.

The surrounding countryside as seen from the arch.

We had lunch at the arch where we ate Knedliky, these are wonderfully tasty dumplings filled with blueberries, drizzled with chocolate and butter, and sprinkled with sugar. This was the best meal I had while in Czechia and, if the arch was any less fantastic, this would have been the highlight of the trip.

While the day was really hot we made it through, and it was definitely worth it. Thankfully the hike wasn't too long and we were able to enjoy an air conditioned train on the way back.

Thanks for reading – Edward

Written 8th of September 2024

Sign up for more like this.