My house & front garden © Ricky Yates
This blog post is an invitation from me for you to join me on one of my favourite walks through the CHKO Labské Pískovce, the landscape protected area in which my new home is situated.
Leaving my front door and heading to the crossroads in the centre of Stará Oleška…..
Malá Oleška © Ricky Yates
……I join a footpath that takes me around this small lake, Malá Oleška……
Olešský rybnik © Ricky Yates
……and then alongside the large lake, Olešský rybnik.
Into the forest © Ricky Yates
Partway alongside the lake, the yellow waymarked route, heads off into the forest, following the valley of the Olešnicka, the stream that flows from the two lakes.
Overhanging rock © Ricky Yates
It passes under this overhanging rock……
Entering Janská © Ricky Yates
…….before joining the road at the edge of the village of Janská. On the right of this photograph are some former industrial buildings which are being converted into homes by private individuals. No doubt an inexpensive way to become a homeowner 🙂
The yellow waymark arrow points left © Ricky Yates
At the T junction, the yellow waymark arrow tells me to turn left into the centre of Janská.
The path heading up from Janská © Ricky Yates
Shortly afterwards, the route leaves the road and heads uphill into the forest.
A view worth the climb © Ricky Yates
It is a steady climb for nearly two kilometres but the view at the top makes the effort more than worthwhile.
Signpost at Pod Strážištem © Ricky Yates
Reaching Pod Strážištem, at 396m, the highest point on the walk, the yellow waymarked route heads downhill. Unfortunately, you cannot properly read the sign in this photograph as it is partly obscured by leaves 😉
The yellow route descending steeply from Pod Strážištem © Ricky Yates
The decent is steep! This photograph doesn’t fully convey how steep it is. I always make sure I have my trekking pole with me before taking this route.
Srbská Kamenice with Kostel sv Václava above the village © Ricky Yates
Near the bottom of the decent, by taking a slight detour to the right, you reach a wonderful viewpoint with the village of Srbská Kamenice spread out before you. To the left is this view with Kostel sv Václava above the village on the far side of the valley.
Srbská Kamenice with Ružovský vrch beyond © Ricky Yates
Straight ahead is this view of the village with Ružovský vrch beyond. The yellow waymarked route reaches the centre of Srbská Kamenice, directly opposite the yellow building with a car parked in front of it, which you can see in the bottom left of the photograph. This houses the Tourist Information Centre which has lots of helpful literature, but only in Czech and German. Likewise, the staff only speak Czech or German.
Ve starém kráme, Srbská Kamenice © Ricky Yates
I usually reward myself at the end of my walk with a beer or two and a meal at Ve starém kráme, seen here from the path that leads up to Kostel sv Václava. Whilst there is a shorter and more direct green waymarked route back to Stará Oleška, I normally make sure I’ve finished eating and drinking in time to catch the last bus of the day, back to my front door.
Looks absolutely wonderful, Ricky. One day I will join you.96
It is wonderful, Pauleen. Come & visit! Does the ’96’at the end of your comment mean something or is it just a typo?
Just a typo
The Czech countryside has so much to offer – and you certainly live in a charming part of it.
I agree with you on both counts, Alan 🙂
What a beautiful walk! Would love to join you on the trails someday. Right now, I mostly walk in Central Park (which can be QUITE a hike!) or along the avenues from midtown to downtown Manhattan.
It is beautiful, Stephen, which I hope my photographs conveyed. I’ve never seen Central Park but looking at photographs on the internet, it does look like a wonderful green space to have in the middle of such a large city.
A lovely scenic route Ricky. Makes our rambles in various parts of rural Essex look rather tame. However Essex does have some lovely villages and interesting pubs to start and end at for lunch on our circular walks with Essex Friends Ramblers group. Great exercise keeping us fit
It is a bit hillier here than in Essex, Heather 🙂 But I’m sure your regular rambles through the Essex countryside do keep you fit. And with a visit to a village pub at the end, what better way to spend a day!
Such beautiful landscapes and walking must be the very best way to enjoy them. Sadly my dicky knees rule out steep ups and downs nowadays, so I have to enjoy the countryside on the level.
The surrounding landscapes are beautiful and, as you suggest, walking is by far the best way to enjoy them. Fortunately, I can still usually manage steep slopes, as long as I have my trekking pole with me. However, with some careful map reading, it is perfectly possible to find enjoyable walking paths here, that are reasonably level.
Hi Ricky,
Please forgive my long absence from commenting on your blog, I’ve read and re read the posts and it seems everything I want to say has been better said by someone else. I can only echo their praise for your choice of a wonderful place to retire and for your fine photos (as always) which capture the beauty to perfection. I envy you! Sean.
Hi Sean!
Good to hear from you! I did wonder where you had got to 😉 Thank you too, for your effusive compliments & I’m pleased to know you have once more enjoyed my photographs.