Václav Levý Circuit to Čertovy hlavy (Devil’s Heads)

The path will first take you past Liběchov Château with its freely accessible park and statues of Mathias Bernhard Braun. From here, follow the blue tourist trail, called the V. Levého Circuit, to Harfenice – there are fewer steep climbs in this direction. You will enjoy the journey through open countryside with views and will reach a forest full of sandstone rocks and huge carved reliefs. First, you will come across the artificially carved U ještěra cave with a decorated portal, and right next to it you will also find giant human heads and a girl with a harp. Just a little further in the forest you will encounter the Sphinx and the Snake – other rock reliefs.

• Interesting fact: The rock reliefs are the work of sculptor Václav Levý. Originally, a cook from the Libochovice château carved them into the sandstone rocks in the vicinity in the 19th century for his own pleasure and in his spare time. However, the owner of the Libochovice estate and patron of artists, Antonín Veith, did not overlook the young cook’s talent and in the mid-19th century sent him to study at the Academy in Munich. Václav Levý later became a prominent sculptor and his work can also be found in St.  Vitus Cathedral in Prague.

Via Tupadly, you will reach Želízy along the Liběchovka stream, where a short but steep hike awaits you. But the reward is worth it. Huge, up to 9 metre-high Čertovy hlavy (Devil’s Heads) will take your breath away.

On the opposite hill, at the end of the trail, you will discover perhaps the most interesting work, the Klácelka cave with a decorated portal and a courtyard called Blaník. You will find characters from Czech history here, such as the Hussite warriors Jan Žižka and Prokop Holý, the sleeping Blaník soldiers, or the dwarves forging weapons for the Blaník soldiers.

• Tip for you: For a half-day trip, it is better to take a snack from home – there is no refreshment option for the first two thirds of the route. Finally, in the village of Želízy, you will find the pub Hostinec u Blanky with its famous tripe soup and homemade rolls. Not only will it satisfy even a big hunger, but there is also a permanent exhibition of regional artists waiting for you. In the season, you can also stop for something small at the kiosk in the Želízy campsite or in the Zahrada campsite in Liběchov.