Adventure in Malá Skála in the Czech Republic! Malá Skála is a town in the north of the Czech Republic known for its rock formations, and here you can try different adventures. We went here for a canoe trip, and to visit a castle high up on a cliff.
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Malá Skála in the Czech Republic
Malá Skála is a small town, but if you like nature, this is a great place to visit.

Malá Skála is located in the Liberec county of the Czech Republic, about 10 kilometres northwest of the capital city. Prague.
Camping Ostrov
We started our canoe trip at camping Ostrov. You can of course also camp here, but we did not. We just drove here and parked our motorhome, to go on an adventure with a canoe.
Canoeing and rubber rafting is very popular here on the Jizera River and you see people paddling all day long. Our adventure started with equipment and information in English. Then it was time to go!

Canoeing on the river Jizera
The water in the Jizera River is lightly flowing, making it a little easier to paddle. Right at the start there is an extra rapids section, and you can choose to start above or below. We of course started above!
Then it was time to paddle. The trip takes about three hours, or two hours if you paddle at a slightly higher pace. Along the entire route you are surrounded by intense greenery, so it almost feels like you are paddling in the Amazon. You are also surrounded by many other paddlers in kayaks or rubber boats, especially happy young people!



Just before you reach the end of the paddle, you can choose to stop at a restaurant for lunch or maybe a beer. The whole paddle was fantastic, and we can highly recommend it!



At the end of the tour you can pull up your canoe (or rubber boat), and now it's time to head back. The distance back is around 9 kilometres and you can choose to walk, take the train or rent a scooter (scooter).

Scooter back to Malá Skála
We made our way back with a scooter, i.e. a non-electric scooter. We're not really super fond of this vehicle, but the route was mostly flat or downhill, so it's relatively smooth.



The route runs alongside green nature, and you will also have the opportunity to look down on other paddlers in the river. A tip for the whole excursion is to bring drinks and snacks, and/or money. Here and there it is possible to buy refreshments.

Castle Vranov Pantheon
Right next to the Ostrov campsite in Malá Skála is the Vranov Pantheon castle. To get here you have to park at the foot of the mountain and then walk up. The hike is not difficult, but partly exhausting, as you are constantly going upwards.

The picture below shows the last bend before reaching the castle ...

Once up at the Vranov Pantheon castle, you have a great view. To see it all, you have to pay a small fee, which includes a small booklet with information in German or English.



You can see the building itself pretty quickly, but after that there's a whole range of sights in the form of ruins, caves, old statues and steep stairs that wind up and down. In the 30-degree heat, we got sweaty walking around.


At the same time, we didn't want to stop looking around, because behind every bend something new was waiting.

The castle was built in the early 15th century, but much of what can be seen here dates from later times. In the 19th century, the castle was reconstructed in a romantic style by Franz Zacharias Römisch, who built a summer house here. Today much of it is in ruins, but it's a fascinating place to visit.



Feeling satisfied at the Vranov Pantheon, we sat down for a drink at the tables next to the small kiosk. A nice and interesting excursion!

Film from Malá Skála
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
Around Malá Skála there are many other nice places to visit. For example, you can visit Hrubá Skála and Prachovské Skály, which also offer rock formations. It is also close to the city of Liberec, which has a lot to offer, as well as the whole "Crystal Valley" with glass art, nature and breweries.
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Have you visited Malá Skála?
Have you visited Malá Skála, or perhaps experienced another adventure in the Czech Republic? Tell us about it!
Facts about Malá Skála
- County: Liberec
- Country: Czech Republic
- Residents: More than 1000
Services and practical information
- Price canoe: For this distance 450 CZK (about 195 kr) in 2022.
- Price scooter hire: For this distance 180 CZK (approximately 78 SEK) per person.
- Opening hours Vranov Pantheon: May - August daily 9-18. During April and September - November opening hours are more limited. See the the site's website for up-to-date information.
- Price Vranov Pantheon: Adults pay 60 CZK (approx. 26 SEK) and pensioners, students and children aged 6-15 pay 40 CZK (approx. 17 SEK) (2022).
4000mil says:
The walk around the castle looks very exciting. We also visit a whole bunch of castles on our train trip right now. 😊
29 June 2022 - 19:56
Helena says:
Really! And understand it! There are many cool castles in Central Europe! 🙂
06 July 2022 - 22:02
BP says:
I like the canoe trip, although two hours is quite long. Then I liked the "strange" bikes. I don't think I have seen such vehicles before. Good that you were able to work physically in this heat ...
29 June 2022 - 20:15
Helena says:
These types of scooters (without electricity) are quite common in the Czech Republic, but I don't think we've seen them in Sweden either (to my knowledge).
06 July 2022 - 22:04
Susanne Goren says:
Hello!!! Thank you so much for sharing your trip and giving so many tips on what to do in the Czech Republic! We follow in your footsteps:). Today we are here in Mala Skala and we have both canoed and cycled on the scooter. So nice! Really to recommend. If we had not read in your blog, we would never have found here. So thank you again!
06 July 2022 - 21:33
Helena says:
Hello!!! But oh, so fantastic to hear!!! We are so happy that you had a nice trip, and that you tell us! We try to tell you about all the experiences as soon as we can, but have not had time to tell you about everything yet. In addition to what we already wrote about, we can recommend a visit to Decin camping (a small city camping) from where you can make many very nice and exciting excursions. Ask to talk to Sven at the campsite, and you will get good tips! 🙂
06 July 2022 - 22:08
Lena - good for the soul says:
Oh, that canoeing trip sounds lovely! So beautiful. Something to my taste!
Hug Lena
06 October 2022 - 9:39