"Each step of the pilgrim has a different meaning, a different impact than the previous one, because the goal to be achieved is perfectly understood and contained in each individual step, once we choose the right path."

Johann Wolfgang GOETHE

In this year's small Mácha pilgrimage, we will connect the brooding, shady landscape of the rocky labyrinths of eastern Kokořín with the open landscape of the lonely rocky peaks of the western part of the České Středohoří Mountains. Karel Hynek Mácha set out for Kokořín in 1831 and his poetic work is connected with it. He felt drawn to the landscape of the České Středohoří Mountains at the end of his life and tragically ended his life here in Litoměřice in 1836. In the Kokořín part of the pilgrimage, on the first day we will walk a new section from Království to Vidim and further through Střezivojický and Dobřeňský mines to Ovčácký vrch. On the third day, behind Helfenburk Castle, we will visit the remarkable Baroque Calvary with a beautiful view of the Úštěcko region and the Sedlo hill on the horizon. And for the first time ever, we will walk the route from Úštěk via Sedlo and Kalich to Litoměřice together. If you cannot undertake the entire journey (84 km), you can walk any part of it with us and join us anywhere.  

"Either it seems because it is, or it is because it seems."

Karel Hynek MÁCHA

Saturday 30. 4.: Liběchov – Dobřeň – Houska (24 km)

We will meet in Liběchov at Náměstí Václava Levého by the castle, from where we will set off at 8 a.m. We will follow the blue tourist trail to the rock sculptures in the Nad Hubenovem forest. –Mary Magdalene Cave, Harp and Snake –, which are attributed to the sculptor Václav Levý. From here we will descend to Stupid and we will continue past the neo-Romanesque chateau Slavin following the green tourist trail to Kingdom. Fromat the intersection, turn right following the blue sign and go around Old castle we will head to the settlement of Vidim and from there follow the green path to Střezivojický mine and further to the village of Dobřeň. From Dobřeň we will continue along the road towards Střezivojice and after about half a kilometer we will turn off following the blue sign to Dobřeňský mine, which we will pass to the crossroads below Ovčácký hill; here we turn onto the green road, which will lead us to Konrádov. From there we will continue through Petrified Castle at a crossroads Under Druclik and then follow the red trail along the well-known path to Houska. On the way we will visit Luňák's Chapel, We will enjoy the view of Bezděz and refresh our tired bodies in the Na konci sil pub. We will visit the beech forest above the House Castle and, if the night is clear, we will observe the stars.. We will sleep under the open sky or in the Hostince pod Houskou and remember the poetry of a forgotten poet Kamil Bednář. 

"Man is governed by the earth, the earth is governed by heaven, heaven is governed by the Tao, the Tao is governed by itself."

LAO-C

Sunday 1.5.: Houska – Beckovský vrch – Dubá – Vlhošť (26 km)

The next day we will set off from Houska along the blue tourist trail to the crossroads at Smrkový hřeben and from there along the yellow trail to Bořejov to the Baroque church of St. James the Greater with a modern altarpiece of the pilgrim St. James by Aleš Krejč. From Bořejov, from where there is a beautiful view of Bezděz and Houska; from there we will continue to Ždírec and then along the green trail to Korecký Hill (465 m above sea level) and then along an unmarked road to Beckovský Hill with the ruins of Macha's favorite castle Old Bernstein (480 m above sea level). From there we will follow the yellow trail to Dubá and then continue along the blue trail through Oak Mountain to Pavličky. From Pavličky we will follow the blue trail to a hill with the remains of a medieval rock castle Pin (386 m above sea level) with the so-called With a Čap stick – there is a beautiful view of the Velký Čapský dol from here. We will continue along the green path to the crossroads below the hill Goose (448 m above sea level) and further to the Vlhošťský důl crossroads, from where we will follow the blue trail to Little Vlhošť (440 m above sea level) on whose slope we spend the night.   

Monday 2.5.: Vlhošť – Úštěk – Sedlo – Litoměřice – Radobýl (34 km)

In the morning we will follow the yellow sign Velky Vlhošť (613 m above sea level), the highest peak of the Kokořínsko Protected Landscape Area; this mighty neovolcanic massif is formed by a bluff and its slopes and summit are protected as a nature reserve - the peregrine falcon lives here. From here we will continue along the blue trail and then along the yellow trail through the village of Skalka to Hradek with a remarkable monumental castle ruin Helfenburg, which KH Mácha captured in two of his drawings. From Helfenburg we will follow the yellow path, but immediately below the castle we will turn through the forest across Hradec Králové Mine to Ostrý, from where we climb the slope to a uniquely situated Baroque pilgrimage site on the hill Calvary (attributed to the architect Octavián Broggio); there is a wonderful view of the Ústí nad Labem basin with the hill Seat on the horizon.  

From Kalvária we descend to Úštěk; we take a short walk through this remarkable historical town and then follow the red and then the green trail to the top of a beautifully shaped hill. Saddle (726.4 m above sea level), the highest mountain in the eastern part of the Bohemian Central Mountains. From the Sedlo we will continue along the green path Little Saddle and Judgment Stone to an impressive hill Calyx (535 m above sea level), where the ruins of one of Jan Žižka's medieval castles are located. From Chalice we will take the green path through Trojhoru (451 m above sea level), Sand Hill on The Mountain of the Cross (590 m above sea level) and from there we will continue through Pohořany and Žitenice to Litoměřice. We will pass through Litoměřice and follow the yellow trail to the top Radobyl (399 m above sea level), where we will end our journey. We will remember the life story of Karel Hynek Mácha and enjoy a unique view of the central panorama of the Bohemian Central Mountains with the dominants of Milešovka and Kletečná.   

"I believe that a lot of good would come from a change in attitude if tourists became pilgrims again." 

Rupert SHELDRAKE

CONNECTIONS

Prague – Liběchov / Saturday, April 30: BUS from the bus station at the train station in Prague Holešovice: departure from Prague at 6:40 (next no. 3) – arrival to Liběchová 7:24 or 7:40 (next no. 3) – arrival to Liběchová 8:24

Úštěk – Prague / Monday, May 2: TRAIN (main station) departure from Úštěkavy 11:11 (via Louny) – arrival in Prague hl.n. 13:02 departure from Úštěkavy 11:53 (via Ústí nad Labem) – arrival in Prague hl.n. 14:28

Litoměřice – Prague / Monday, May 2: BUS: departure from Litoměřice at 18:20 – arrival in Prague 19:40. TRAIN: departure from Litoměřice (via Všetaty) 18:31 – arrival in Prague 20:12 departure from Litoměřice (via Všetaty) 19:12 – arrival in Prague 20:38

Contact and further information

• Jiří Zemánek, email: sarvanga@centrum.cz, mobile: 777 117 466
• Tomáš Hrůza, email: tomashruza@gmail.com, mobile: 775 052 607

DON'T FORGET to bring blister plasters! The best brand is "COSMOS"!