Kumburk Ridge to Jičín

A 22.3 km ridge-and-basin walk from Nová Paka to Jičín, over the Kumburk ruin, past a pub in Železnice and up the Zebín cone at the end.

Most of the effort comes early. From Nová Paka the route climbs west through Brdo onto the wooded ridge to Kumburk. Climb the restored tower, from it you see from the Krkonoše to Trosky. The climb to the ruin is also most of the day’s ascent. From here the walking goes gently downhill.

Stop halfway at the pub U Jindry in Železnice. Walk through the village’s small spa-town centre on the way, it takes a few minutes. The route then heads across the basin to Zebín. The climb up the bare basalt cone to the chapel is short and sharp. From the top you see the whole Jičín basin with Trosky and the Prachov rocks around it, a big view for very little climbing.

The finish goes past Sedličky and along the Valdštejnská lodžie lime avenue into Jičín. This was Wallenstein’s straight approach to the town. You end on the square under the arcades, and the train home leaves from the station.