Tiské Stěny

An hour’s drive north of Prague, the small town of Tisá in northern Czechia is full of mysterious rock formations that look straight out of Narnia—because they are. It’s here that Edmund tumbled out of the magical wardrobe in the 2005 movie adaption of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia.

There are trails throughout the picturesque landscape of Tiské Stěny, which contains the towering sandstone rock formations. If you set out from the Church of Saint Anne (also known as Kostel sv.Anny), two trails lead up into the hills: one, a shorter jaunt to your left, and the other, a longer trail to your right. The shorter hike, despite its less daunting length, is still challenging, and unfortunately, neither trail is wheelchair-accessible.To access either hike, you need to purchase entry tickets at the nearby kiosks located at either trailhead. As of 2023, adults were charged 50 CZK, while children’s tickets were 25 CZK. White and green trail markers guide you through the labyrinth, where you can wander amidst, around, and atop grand sandstone formations, each more striking than the last.

Each of the rock formations has an imaginative name, and while you might need a dash of creativity to correlate the names to the structures, it’s part of the charm. Many of the names have to do with elephants or towers, adding a dash of whimsy to the hike. Various vantage points offer breathtaking panoramas. It is as if Mother Nature herself painted these scenes with a generous sweep of her brush, covering every hue of green and blue. 

Beyond the towering sandstone sculptures, you can also immerse yourself in the unique ecosystem that Tiské Stěny supports. Listen to the chorus of birds echoing through the stone corridors, watch the scamper of small creatures in the underbrush, and inhale the subtle perfume of the local flora. From towering trees to delicate mosses and lichens, the natural life here is abundant and diverse, making every step of the hike a living lesson in biodiversity.

So, lace up those boots, pack your sense of adventure, and prepare to step into the magical world of Tiské Stěny. Like a page from a storybook, this geological wonderland will undoubtedly fill your day with wonder and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy your journey and remember, there’s no rush—the rocks have withstood the test of time and they patiently await your discovery.