Bohemian Switzerland National Park

Pravčická Brána

Pravčická Brána is the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe and the most iconic landmark of Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic. Standing 16 meters high and spanning 26 meters across, this impressive rock formation has been shaped over millions of years by natural erosion. Surrounded by dense forests and towering cliffs, the arch offers breathtaking views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the picturesque landscape that extends into neighboring Germany.

Visitors can hike to the arch via well-marked trails, passing through scenic woodlands and rocky outcrops. Once at the top, the panoramic views from beneath the arch are spectacular, making it a popular destination for photographers and nature lovers. Nearby, visitors can enjoy refreshments at the Falcon’s Nest, a historic chateau built into the rock. Pravčická Brána’s grandeur and unique geology make it a must-see destination for anyone exploring Bohemian Switzerland National Park.

Fairies Cave

The Fairies Cave, locally known as “Jeskyňka Víly” or Vilemínina Stěna, is a hidden gem within Bohemian Switzerland National Park, offering an enchanting experience for visitors. This natural rock formation, carved into the sandstone, has earned its whimsical name from local legends.

Visitors can hike to the cave through scenic trails, surrounded by forests and unique rock formations, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere. Once inside, the cave’s naturally sculpted features evoke a sense of mystery and wonder, with the play of light and shadows adding to the magical ambiance.

Popular Species

Bohemian Switzerland National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, with species that thrive in its forested landscapes, rock formations, and river valleys.

Red deer are the largest herbivores in the park, known for their majestic antlers and grazing in open meadows and forest clearings.

Wild boars are sturdy and adaptable animals that forage through the park’s forests, digging up roots and tubers with their strong snouts.

European otters are semi-aquatic mammals often seen along the park’s rivers and streams, where they hunt fish and small aquatic animals.

Roe deer are smaller herbivores frequently spotted in the park’s woodlands, known for their agility and shy nature, often grazing on leaves and shoots.

Foxes are highly adaptable predators, hunting small mammals and birds, as well as scavenging for food throughout the park’s diverse habitats.

Badgers are nocturnal animals that dig burrows and forage for insects, fruits, and small mammals, often found in the park’s dense forests.

European lynxes are elusive and solitary predators that hunt roe deer and smaller mammals, rarely seen but vital to maintaining the ecological balance.

Brown hares are fast and agile herbivores, often seen in the park’s open areas, feeding on grasses and plants, using their speed to evade predators.

Bats are common in the park’s forests and caves, using echolocation to hunt insects at night, playing an important role in insect population control.

Pine martens are small carnivores that live in trees and feed on small mammals, birds, and fruits, often seen moving swiftly through the park’s wooded areas.

Bird Species

Bohemian Switzerland National Park is a prime location for birdwatching, offering a diverse range of bird species that thrive in its forests, cliffs, and river valleys.

Peregrine falcons are fast-flying raptors that nest in the park’s cliffs, known for their incredible speed in hunting small birds mid-flight.

Black storks are large, rare birds that prefer the park’s secluded forested areas, feeding on fish, frogs, and small animals near rivers and wetlands.

Eagles are majestic birds of prey, often seen soaring high above the park’s forests and cliffs, hunting for small mammals and birds.

Owls are nocturnal hunters that thrive in the park’s dense woodlands, using their keen vision and silent flight to catch rodents and small birds at night.

Woodpeckers are common in the park’s forests, where they use their strong beaks to peck at tree bark, searching for insects and building nests in tree trunks.

Common buzzards are medium-sized raptors frequently seen gliding above the park’s open areas, hunting for small mammals and birds with their sharp talons.

Ravens are large, intelligent birds often seen flying over the park’s forests and cliffs, known for their adaptability and problem-solving skills.

Kestrels are small falcons that hover above the park’s meadows and grasslands, hunting for insects and small mammals with their keen eyesight.

Nuthatches are small birds that can climb down tree trunks headfirst, searching for insects and seeds in the park’s forests and wooded areas.

Tawny owls are well-known for their hooting calls and are often seen perched in the park’s trees at night, hunting small rodents and insects.