Kokořínsko

A quiet sandstone plateau of canyons, pine woods and rock villages between the Labe and Máchův kraj — flat walking above, cool gorges below.

A day here is built from two levels — sun-warmed pine plateau on top, cool damp gorge floor below — and the walking alternates between them wherever the net of canyons, the Kokořínský důl foremost, offers a way down or up. Along the way erosion shows its fine work: the “pokličky” rock lids on their sand pillars are the region’s signature, and harder volcanic rock pokes through as isolated cones like Vlhošť and Ronov whenever a view over the woods is wanted. Mělník and Dubá put you at the edges within about an hour and a half of Prague.

The human layer is half the charm — timber-framed villages (Hvězda, Dubá with its hop kiln), the castle of Kokořín in its valley, and rock-cut cellars and chapels all over. Waymarked trails are dense, water sources are not: the sandstone drinks everything, so carry what you need. Protection dates from 1976; since 2014 the CHKO officially pairs the plateau with Máchův kraj to the north.