The number of foreigners who venture to explore the Czech countryside is less than 10 percent. The rest leaves the country experiencing just their stay in Prague. However, the Czech landscape is full of mountains inviting to ski and plains that offer a network of hiking and cycling routes.
There are two main geographic parts in the Czech Republic, Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemia is known for spa resorts and Moravia for its wine regions. You can enjoy in both parts a moderate continental climate and find plenty of rivers, lakes, protected areas and national parks. In the whole country, there is more than 100 castles and ruins, fortresses and châteaux open to public.
For those who prefer other activity to walking, there are indoor and outdoor golf courses, or you can go horse riding.
Network of routes and paths for hikers and cyclists is very well marked. Maps with routes for hiking and bicycle are available at information centres and bookshops. Czech law oblige you to use properly equipped bicycle. If you are less than 18, a helmet is compulsory.
The trails are marked with square signs which consist of three stripes. In the middle, there is always a coloured stripe indicating the level of difficulty. The other two side stripes are white. There can be an arrow instead of the three stripes, that means that the trail merges with another one.
The area called Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) is a European UNESCO Geopark. Beside valleys with cliffs so called 'rock towns', you can go and explore ruins of Castle Trosky or admire the Renaissance chateau Hrubá skála. If you are lucky, you will find some semi-precious, blood-red Czech garnets. These stones are worked and used in jewellery, to find out more go to the Museum of the Bohemian Paradise in Turnov.
Czech Switzerland (České Švýcarsko) is another area which situated at the north part of the Czech-German border. It is a national park with a geological formation and Czech Switzerland's symbol Pravčická brána, the largest natural bridge of sandstone in Europe. Czech Switzerland is winded by various rivers, you can go for a boat trips or rent a raft.
Adršpach is another 'rock town' located at the Czech-Polish border. Rocks formed there unusual figural shapes. As the formations remind of different statues, animals and things, they were given names like Lovers, Sugar Cone, or The Elephant Square. This area is full of lakes and waterfalls which ask you for a boat trip. Teplické skály is another block of sandstones. Rocky ridges, canyons, gorges and labyrinths are formed between the rock pillars. These 'rock towns' are the most extensive complexes of castellated block sandstone in Europe. Under the ground, caves and abysses were formed.
The Czech Republic has a lot of caves, one of the nearest from Prague are the caves Koněpruské jeskyně. The majority, though, is found on the Moravian part of the country. In the northern Moravia, there are Jeskyně Na Pomezí caves in the Jeseník area, in the east you can go to the aragonit caves Zbrašovské jeskyně. In the south of Moravia is worth visiting the caves Jeskyně Na Turoldu or Punkevní jeskyně. Once you enter the caves, you can study hunter's paintings on the walls and other paintings of the prehistoric people and admire the stalagmites and stalactites.
Twelve areas in Czech Republic are inscribed in the UNESCO list.
Central Bohemia
East Bohemia
South Bohemia
Central Moravia
South Moravia