Parezska Lhota: Pařez Castle and Cycling Routes

Pařezská Lhota lies north of the Prachov Rocks in a hilly landscape and near the ruins of Pařez Castle. This gives you a range of themes to consider when planning your trip: the distinctive sandstone landscape, the history of the castle, and cycling and climbing opportunities, each with its own conditions. The Prachov Rocks are a nature reserve within the Český ráj Protected Landscape Area. Pařezská Lhota also lies within the cadastral area of the Prachov Rocks.

Pařez Castle and archaeological traces

The ruins of Pařez Castle lie on an isolated sandstone formation at the northwestern edge of the Prachov Rocks. Access was through a crevice in the rock. The surviving castle complex includes masonry defensive walls, a square tower, a palas, and chambers carved into the rock. A palas was the central residential building of a castle; here, the term can be connected to a specific part of the complex. Together, the different structural elements show how the fortifications, tower, and residential area are described within the castle. The rock formation is not merely a backdrop: it is part of the described location of the ruins and of the former access through the crevice in the rock.

The archaeological context extends beyond the castle, too. The cadastral area of Pařezská Lhota forms part of the fortified hilltop settlement site of Prachov. Prehistoric burial sites, as well as ramparts and burial mounds, have been documented there. This gives history-minded travelers two distinct topics to explore: the structural remains of Pařez Castle and the prehistoric archaeological sites within the cadastral area.

Cycling routes and seasonal bike bus

Several of the cycling options described pass through Pařezská Lhota. The Jičín–Trosky cycle route runs through the village. The Leknínová route also passes through Pařezská Lhota and continues to the water-lily ponds there. The routes therefore differ in their stated focus: one highlights the two places named in its route name, while the other focuses on the water-lily ponds as its destination.

A tourist bike bus can also be used from April 30 to September 30 on the route Jičín – Holín – Prachov Rocks – Pařezská Lhota – Mladějov – Sobotka – Podkost. The seasonal periods for the bike bus and climbing do not coincide: the bus operates during a shorter period. If you are taking these options into account when planning your dates, check the latest information about the bike bus before your trip.

Climbing with seasonal rules

The Pařezská Lhota climbing area is in the forest on the right-hand side of the road from Pařezská Lhota to Střeleč. Climbing is seasonally permitted in the area from April 1 to October 31, with exceptions for individual rocks. The date range alone therefore does not describe all the rules for every rock. Before climbing, check the local conservation notices and take the exceptions into account. This makes clear the difference between the general season and the special rules that apply to individual rocks.

These dates can help you align your trip plans with the relevant conditions.

Discover more destinations: Zámostí-Blata, Rokytňany, Horní Nová Ves, Stupná, Vitiněves, Kacákova Lhota, Libošovice, Svatojanský Újezd.

Go to the overview of the wider area: Jičín District.