The green-marked hiking route from Pelešany to the ruins of Valdštejn Castle and the Maloskalský okruh III cycling circuit give the village two specific connections to excursions. When choosing a base for an overnight stay, you can first consider how you want to spend the day: would you like to reach the castle on foot, or is a cycling route with several named cultural sights your priority?
Hiking routes to the castle and Kalvárie
The green-marked hiking route to the castle ruins starts at the car park by the village; check the trail markings on site before setting out. The drive to the castle passes through Pelešany to a car park below the castle; from there, Valdštejn can be reached via a 700-metre green-marked footpath. As parking regulations may change, it is advisable to check them before setting off.
Valdštejn (German: Waldenstein) stands on massive rocks in the forests of Hruboskalsko near Pelešany. The castle was founded around 1260 and is considered the oldest castle in Český ráj. A visit therefore brings together two aspects: the castle’s early history and its location on rocks in a wooded area.
A narrow, uphill path branches off a green-marked route towards Pelešany and Valdštejn, leading to Kalvárie. Kalvárie near Valdštejn is considered a place of pilgrimage with a beautiful view. Those wishing to add a religiously themed destination to their hike can make this detour a focus in its own right.
Rock Formation and Panoramic View
Hlavatice is a solitary sandstone rock at the end of the Hruboskalský ridge. The rock can only be reached on foot via the red-marked Zlatá stezka Českého ráje hiking trail. The trail leads from Turnov město railway stop in the direction of Valdštejn Castle. This makes the route different from the hiking route from Pelešany: for Hlavatice, the red trail and its named starting point are the key details.
The rock formation, which is over twelve metres high, has a viewing platform at an altitude of 380 metres. From the summit, there are panoramic views of Turnov, the Jizera, the Ještěd ridge, Bezděz Castle, Ralsko and the Kozákov ridge. Unlike a visit focused on the castle, Hlavatice is all about the view from the top of the rock.
Cycling Route and Cultural Stops
The Maloskalský okruh III cycling circuit passes through Pelešany and continues to Valdštejn Castle. After the castle, the route goes to Hrubá Skála Chateau and then to Kopicův statek. This sequence offers a way to visit several named castle and architectural sights in the order given. Kopicův statek is a building dating from the late 18th century.
The Vojtěch Kopic rock gallery offers another cultural heritage theme. A circular route passes through the gallery; the sandstone reliefs depict mostly scenes from Czech history. Unlike a chateau or historic building, the focus here is on motifs carved in stone. Visitors who do not want to limit their cultural interests to castle and architectural history can also consider relief art as a theme in its own right.
The landscape is also part of the decision: the castle stands in the forests of Hruboskalsko near Pelešany, and Hruboskalsko has marked trails for recreation and romantic walks. Alongside the specific routes to the castle and Hlavatice, you can also choose a walk as a regional focus in its own right.
Discover more destinations: Horní Dusnice, Václaví, Slana, Bradlecka Lhota, Hochstadt An Der Iser, Bělá U Staré Paky, Levínská Olešnice, Jablonec Nad Jizerou
Go to the overview of the wider travel area: Okres Semily.
