Off the beaten track: 9 secluded hiking paradises in the Czech Republic

While Bohemian Switzerland and Sněžka (Schneekoppe) are often overrun with visitors, the Czech Republic’s border regions are a true goldmine for those seeking peace and quiet. Those who venture off the beaten track will find untouched nature, mystical bogs, and bizarre rock formations, often left entirely to their own for hours. Here are 9 insider tips for your next hike.

1. Lužické Mountains (Lužické hory)

Located west of the Jeschken mountain, this mountain range impresses with its gentle conical mountains and the typical half-timbered houses.
Insider tip: The ascent to the Klíč (Kleis) It offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views in North Bohemia, but is visited by only a few hikers.

2. Daubaer Switzerland (Kokořínsko)

Often referred to as the “little sister” of Bohemian Switzerland, this area offers an intimate atmosphere in deep forests.
Insider tip: The rock formations Pokličky They resemble giant stone mushrooms with distinctive lids.

3. Grätzer Land (Oderské vrchy)

Deep valleys and old slate quarries dominate this hilly Silesian region.
Insider tip: The hike to Oderquelle It is ideal for meditative walks through quiet forests.

4. Eagle Mountains (Orlické hory)

Located right next to the Giant Mountains, it is much more peaceful here. The gentle ridges invite you to take long hikes along the crests.
Insider tip: The “lost” village Neratov with its church, which has an impressive glass roof.

5. Imperial Forest (Slavkovský les)

A mystical high plateau near Marienbad with dense coniferous forests and extensive peatlands.
Insider tip: The nature trail Kladská leads across wooden boardwalks through a moorland landscape that almost resembles Scandinavia.

6. Braunauer Ländchen (Broumovsko)

Beyond the overcrowded Adršpach Rocks, the Braunau Walls (Broumovské stěny) a lonely labyrinth of gorges.
Insider tip: The baroque chapel on the Hvězda (Star) with its magnificent view.

7. Brdy Forests (Brdy)

A military exclusion zone for decades, this low mountain range southwest of Prague is now a paradise for forest lovers.
Insider tip: The summit Tok with its vast heathlands, which one would not expect to find in the middle of Bohemia.

8. Duppau Mountains (Doupovské hory)

A former volcanic region with almost uninhabited steppe landscapes in the peripheral areas.
Insider tip: The hidden ruin of Hauenštejn Castle amidst dense forests.

9. White Carpathians (Bílé Karpaty)

Instead of rugged cliffs, the border with Slovakia features orchid-rich mountain meadows and isolated farmsteads.
Insider tip: The region Kopanice, where time seems to have stood still and genuine Moravian folklore is palpable.