Ráj brings together several themes that you can weigh differently when planning a stay: the Pšovka and its canyon-like valley, two hiking routes that pass through Ráj, and local buildings and examples of traditional folk architecture. The places and routes mentioned give you specific points of reference to help you decide whether you would rather focus on hiking and scenery or on architectural history.

The Pšovka and the protected landscape

Ráj is located in the Kokořínsko Protected Landscape Area. The Pšovka stream flows from Konrádovský důl northwards to Ráj. In Ráj, it passes under a road bridge and then flows through Kokořínský důl. Thus, in descriptions of the area, the river serves both as a watercourse and as a point of reference for the valley. The Kokořínský důl Nature Reserve was established in 1953, covers 2,097 hectares and lies within the Kokořínsko Protected Landscape Area. The canyon-like Kokořínský důl valley stretches for 14 kilometres from the crossroads known as Ráj to the Lhotka u Mělníka railway stop. The area given for the nature reserve and the length of the valley offer two different measures for understanding the landscape.

Hiking trails and cycling route

Hiking trail 6095 leads from Nad Studáneckou roklí via Ráj to Střezivojovice. Máchova cesta is numbered 0004 and runs from Mělník via Lhotka, Harasov and Ráj to Houska. Both hiking trails pass through Ráj, but differ in the sequence of the other places mentioned along them. When choosing, you can therefore first refer to the place names along each route. This makes it clear which trail suits the listed starting and ending points, without combining the two routes into one. For planning a cycling trip, there is also cycle route 143: it starts in Ráj and runs via Nosálov to Březovice. Its sequence of places distinguishes it from the two hiking trails and gives cyclists a separate route to follow.

Chapel, memorial footbridge and folk architecture

The local buildings also tell different parts of Ráj’s history. The original Chapel of Panny Marie collapsed in 1998 and was rebuilt in 2006. The Památná lávka memorial footbridge crosses the Pšovka. Several leisure buildings in Ráj showcase examples of traditional folk architecture. The chapel, the bridge and the buildings thus offer distinct points of interest: a building with a documented history, a structure by the water and traditional architecture. On the hill above Ráj, near the hamlet of Na Víně, there is also an old memorial beech tree.

Things to focus on during your stay

When planning your trip, you can consider whether hiking trails, the river and valley, or local buildings should play a greater part in it. The trail information allows you to compare their routes, while the chapel and folk architecture offer a different perspective on Ráj. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a stay in Český ráj, first decide which of these interests should be the deciding factor for your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kokorinsky Dul, Nedomice, Kly, Kostelec Nad Labem, Všetaty, Kozomín, Vysoká, Horní Počaply.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Mělník.