Gorgeous Elbe Canyon views

The Elbe Canyon offers some breath-taking scenery. It’s Europe’s deepest sandstone canyon. This walk will take you to several great panoramic spots.

Route

Total time, including lunch: 7 hours

This scenic walk starts at the final stop (Decin Nemocnice) on city bus 201 and 207 following the red trail into the park across the road. A paved path leads up to the panoramic terrace and sandstone obelisk at the top of the Quaderberg bluff. The spot offers a great view of the city and the Elbe canyon.

From here the red trail sets off along the ridge. It’s an easy walk to the views at Sneznicka vyhlidka and the stone pavilion Labska straz. The red trail continues along the ridge over the Loubi valley with its sandstone cliffs and rock formations. The path descends to the village of Ludvikovice. There it skirts the village cemetery and meets the green trail at a signpost marked Nad Loubim.

The trail continues and then climbs a wooded slope to a sandstone shelf over the river. Then it goes on to the crossroads at Ruzovy hreben. From here a short detour of 300 m leads to a gorgeous panoramic viewpoint overlooking wonderful sandstone formations. The viewing area, Ruzova vyhlidka, has a railing and a bench.

The red trail traces a level course through the forest, taking hikers along the plateau above the village of Labska Stran. Soon the path arrives at Belveder, the oldest man-made viewing terrace in Bohemian Switzerland. This cliff-top terrace was built in the 18th century for outdoor concerts and offers amazing views of the river 180 m below. A hotel near the terrace has a restaurant, offering a welcome break for hungry travelers.

The red trail leads to Labska Stran and descends into the enchanting Sucha Kamenice canyon, ending at the road to Hrensko. This is where the journey ends. Hikers can return to Decin by bus, boat, or train.

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