Last Wednesday, 21st December, I took my ‘day off’ for the week and went for a 12km circular walk through another part of Ceský Ráj. You can see and read about my two previous visits here and here. The day was dry and cold, -3°C according to the ‘Carly’, but unfortunately the afternoon sunshine promised by the BBC online weather forecast, didn’t materialise 🙁
I started my walk at Hrad Kost / Kost Castle, built on one of the rocky outcrops which are such a feature of Ceský Ráj. The castle is open to the public between April – October, but not during the winter months. Therefore I was able to park the ‘Carly’ in the castle car park without paying a 50Kc fee 🙂
The castle is impressive from whichever angle you view it.
After walking for 3km along the red waymarked route, I arrived in Libošovice where, despite being a relatively small village, there is this sizeable statue of Jan Hus.
Then my walk took me across more open country along a snow-covered gravel track. Seeing this view did get me singing, ‘In the bleak mid-winter’ 🙂 Note the red waymark on the back of the road sign.
Back in the forest, my route passed between these rocky outcrops…..
…..before arriving at this ‘interesting’ bridge 😉 I did cross it with considerable trepidation, holding on firmly to the handrail!
My return journey along the green waymarked route, took me through the small village of Rytírova Lhota where there was this delightful nativity display.
Then it was downhill back to Hrad Kost / Kost Castle, walking alongside the neighbouring ice-covered lake.