The Small Pravčická Gate and Šaunštejn

The Small Pravčická Gate is the smaller “sister” of the famous Pravčická Gate and is one of the unassuming yet picturesque natural formations in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park; along with the advantage that you (probably) won’t have to fight your way through crowds of tourists here, on the other hand, it’s not that far to the large Pravčická Gate, so you can plan your route to visit both gates.

It is a natural sandstone rock arch—a formation created by the natural weathering and erosion of soft sandstone. Although much smaller than Pravčická Gate (it is about 2.3 meters high and around 3.3 meters wide), it has its own unique charm and magical atmosphere.

The gate is set in a beautiful forest landscape and is easily accessible on foot. It is located near a popular hiking trail between Mezní Louka and Vysoká Lípa, specifically along the red hiking trail.

A tip for conquering both Pravčická GatesQR-BUS_Vysoka-Lipa_Saunstejn_Mala-Pravcicka-brana_Vyhlidka-Fenix_Pravcicka-brana_BUS

BUS – Vysoká Lípa – Šaunštejn – Malá Pravčická brána – Fénix Lookout – Pravčická brána – BUS

  • Map: here
  • Length: approx. 15 km
  • Duration: 5–6 hours at a leisurely pace
  • Difficulty: moderate (elevation gain of about 500 m, a few steep sections, mostly easy trails)
  • How to get here: from Děčín or Krásná Lípa BUS 434, to the stop “Jetřichovice, Vysoká Lípa, rest.” (all year round)
  • How to get back: to Děčín or Krásná Lípa BUS 434, from the stop“Hřensko, Pravčická brána” (all year round)

  • A picturesque and peaceful place – Unlike Pravčická Gate, there are far fewer tourists here.

  • Great view – There is a rock lookout situated above the gate, offering beautiful views of the surrounding forests.

  • Easily accessible – Located about 1.5 km from Vysoké Lípa, it is a pleasant stop on the route to Hřensko.

  • Interesting geological formation – It shows the processes of sandstone weathering on a smaller scale than Pravčická Gate.

  • Nearest starting points: Vysoká Lípa, Mezní Louka.

Milštejn

Another rock gate can be found in Northern Bohemia, a little further east in the Lusatian Mountains.

The Milštejn rock gate is made of metamorphosed rocks – specifically phyllite or schist. This is quite unusual because most of the natural rock arches and gates in the Czech Republic are formed in sandstones.

This gate is actually a crevassed rock window in phyllite rock (sometimes referred to as crystalline schist) and was formed by mechanical weathering and disintegration of layered rock, not by typical sandstone erosion.

Šaunštejn

A short distance (about half a kilometre) from the Small Pravčická Gate, the rock castle Šaunštejn can be found, also known as Loupežnický Castle or Robber’s Castle. This remarkable rock formation towers above the village of Vysoká Lípa and offers not only a glimpse into history, but also unforgettable views and a dose of adrenaline during the ascent.

Rock castle Šaunštejn sunset (photo: Radek Liška)

A little history

Šaunštejn was probably built in the 14th century as a guard castle, which was supposed to protect the trade route leading from Bohemia to Germany. Due to its location on a rock massif, it was difficult to access and served as a refuge not only for border guards but later also for various robbers – hence the nickname Robbers’ Castle. Today, all that remains of the original castle are carved spaces in the rock and traces of former wooden structures that hint at how life used to be lived here.

The trail to the castle

Šaunštejn can be reached by following the red hiking trail from Vysoká Lípa, an approximately 1 km long route through the picturesque forest. The climb up the rock massif itself is not entirely easy – narrow iron ladders and rock steps challenge you, but with a little care most visitors, including children (under supervision) from about 6 years of age upwards, can manage it.

A view that’s worth it

For the effort of the climb, you will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the landscape of Bohemian Switzerland – in the distance you can see Pravčická Gate, Růžovský vrch or even the table mountains on the German side of the border. Šaunštejn is an ideal place for lovers of photography, romance and quiet contemplation of the landscape.

Šaunštejn is not the only one!

The Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland (especially the Bohemian part) is full of mysterious remains of rock castles, which once served as guarding points, refuge for smaller crews – and according to legends, also for robbers. North of Jetřichovice, you will find the Falkenštejn castle. Not far from Kyjov is Kyjovský hradek, near Doubice is Chřibský hrádek and on the way from Brtníky to Kyjov Valley you will find Loupežný hrádek.

And a few more tips:

  • Admission: free

  • Best season: spring to fall (accessible in winter, but can be dangerous due to ice)

  • Footwear: sturdy hiking boots are recommended

  • With children: yes, but under supervision – the ascent is very steep in parts

  • Dogs: can manage the route to the castle on a leash, but the actual climb up the rock is unsuitable for them