A romantic boat ride through the wild gorges of the Kamenice. Ferrymen take you through narrow canyons with high rock walls and waterfalls.
Through the canyon by punt — an experience from another world
The Edmund Gorge and the Wild Gorge on the river Kamenice are among the absolute gems of Bohemian Switzerland. You step into a wooden punt and let yourself drift through a narrow cleft where the rock walls rise as much as 150 metres above the water. The air is cool and damp, the sounds of the forest bounce off the rocks and time seems to stop. The ferrymen, with their trademark humour, tell stories about how the gorges came to be, about local legends and about the animals that live here.
Two gorges, two worlds
The Edmund Gorge is longer and wider — the ride takes roughly 20 minutes and offers majestic scenery with overhanging rocks and waterfalls running down the walls. The Wild Gorge is narrower and more intimate, with more dramatic rock formations. Between the two gorges runs a walk of about two kilometres through a romantic valley along the Kamenice, where you can admire cascades, pools of crystal-clear water and mighty tree roots embracing the rocks.
Why to arrive early in the morning
In high season the gorges are one of the most visited places in the whole national park. Queues for the punt can reach an hour around midday. Our advice: set off from the cottage as early as you can and be at the gorges around nine. You will be almost alone, the morning mist gives the valley a mystical atmosphere and the ferrymen have more time to talk. Late afternoon works as an alternative, when most day trippers are already heading back.
What to bring and what to expect
The gorges are open from April to October, depending on water conditions. Admission is paid separately for each gorge — we recommend visiting both, the experience differs and the walk between them is lovely. It is colder in the punt down in the canyon than outside, so bring a light jacket or a sweatshirt even in summer. The path between the gorges is easy and suitable for families with children as well as for seniors. The whole loop, including both boat rides and the walk, takes 2 to 3 hours. The trip combines splendidly with a visit to Pravčická brána, which is only a few kilometres away.
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