This small village at the Czech-German border sits at the entrance to Bohemian Switzerland National Park, known for its sandstone cliffs and Pravčická Gate arch.
Hřensko, a village of 300 residents, sits at the confluence of the Kamenice and Elbe rivers at Czechia's lowest elevation point. You can walk to the 90-foot-wide Pravčická brána sandstone arch, take boat rides through the narrow Kamenice Gorge canyons, or visit the 18th-century Church of Saint John of Nepomuk in the village center. The village marks the entrance to České Švýcarsko National Park.
Getting to Hřensko
Located 11 kilometers north of Děčín, Hřensko sits right on the German border with two crossing points: the Hřensko/Schmilka road crossing and the Hřensko/Schöna river crossing. You can reach the village by regular bus service from Děčín, which takes about 25 minutes. From Hřensko, you can start hikes on both the Czech and German sides of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Pravčická brána
The sandstone arch of Pravčická brána stretches 90 feet wide and rises 50 feet high above the forest. Next to it stands the Falcon's Nest chateau, built into the rock face in 1881. Today, you can visit its museum about the national park's geology and eat at its restaurant. The marked hiking trail from the village center to the arch takes about one hour.
Kamenice Gorge Boat Rides
From April to October, local guides take visitors through the Kamenice Gorge by boat. The gorge has two distinct sections: Edmund's Gorge with its smooth rock walls, and the Wild Gorge with its jagged formations. In winter when boats don't run, you can walk along the maintained trails on both sides of the gorge.
Church of Saint John of Nepomuk
Built in 1786-1787, this late Baroque church has a single nave and a square tower typical of the period. Its white facade and red roof stand out among the village's traditional houses. The church holds regular services and welcomes visitors outside of worship times.
When to Visit
Summer (June-August) brings crowds but allows access to all activities, including the gorge boat rides. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) have fewer visitors and good hiking conditions. In winter (November-March), boat rides stop operating, but the trails to Pravčická brána stay open when weather conditions allow, and the bare trees give clear views of the rock formations.
