We start in Mezní Louka where the tourist sign will instruct us to follow the red signs and the educational trail towards "Pravčická gate". Mezní Louka is an important crossroad of hiking trails and it is one of the two starting points of the Pravčická gate educational trail. Originally a lesovna (a forest cottage) could be found here and after 1892 a spa complex was built, which was slowly transformed into a hotel.
Right after the beginning of our trip we have to overcome a small difference in elevation and after about a 1 km long climb we will see the first rock massifs on our right side. We are now walking on a narrow path that will lead us to the edge of a deep valley, lined on both sides with other sandstone rocks. We are passing through a unique and large rocky town and around Křídelní stěny (Wing wall), Pevnosti (Fortress) and Velkého Pravčického kužele (Large Pravčický cone). During the 1970s the most visited route in Bohemian Switzerland was equipped with explanatory signs, which served as the base for the creation of the educational trail and the friendship between Czechoslovakia and East Germany. In 2006, the management of the National park built a viewing post on Gabriela's trail, looking down to the Pravčický mine and replaced all damaged explanatory signs. From the Pod Pravčickou bránou (Under the Pravčická gate) crossroad we must take another 300 m long climb, to reach our destination. In 1833, a restaurant called the Sokolí hnízdo (Hawk's nest) was built in the immediate vicinity of the largest sandstone bridge in Europe. From the tourist chateau built in an Alpine style we may currently see a well-preserved and stylish restaurant with original wooden decorations on the walls and ceilings. On the first floor we will find the only museum of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, where we may take a look at photos, flora, fauna, folk architecture, vedutes, geological surveys and examples of folk crafts. After you pay the entrance fee, you will be able to see a 21 m tall and 30 m wide rocky window and admire the monumentality of rocky walls in the Pravčický mine and the uniqueness of the skalní brána (rocky gate), and you may do so from three different viewing posts at the same time. When we return back to the Pod Pravčickou bránou crossroad, we begin following the red signs and walk downhill and around the turn to the Jeskyně Českých bratří (Cave of the Czech Brethren). The cave was created by the deep erosion and weathering of rocks along contour joints and was probably used as a refuge by exiles during the pobělohorské times (period after the battle of White Mountain). Before we reach the Tři prameny (Three springs) crossroad we walk down along the path that takes us around various rock formations and taps leading into mysterious rock labyrinths. However, for the following 1.5 km long stretch towards the Klepáč Hotel we will walk on a road. Far behind the Klepáč Hotel, the border village of Hřensko is hidden, where we will find the lowest elevation point on the Elbe River in the territory of the Czech Republic (115 AMSL) Thanks to the attractiveness of the surroundings of this little town we will also find many restaurants, hotels and souvenir stores here. But during our trip we may just walk to the crossroad called U hotelu Klepáč (Near the Klepáč Hotel), where we cross over the bridge, take a left turn and follow the yellow signs all the way to the rocky canyon of the Kamenice River. We initially walk for about 2 km on the left bank and then along the right bank of the Kamenice River and under rock overhangs with three tunnels, until we reach the weir. Above the weir at the Tichá soutěska–převoz (Quiet ravine-ferry) crossroads we find a lower ferry boat marina. For a fee we may take a guided boat ride through the most attractive part of the gorge, where steep rock walls fall directly into the water thereby making walking impossible. Boat rides are accompanied by the funny commentaries of ferrymen, who point out the various rocky scenes (e.g. Skalní rodina – Rocky family or Strážce – the Guard, etc.) including the "Czech Niagara Falls" – an artificially triggered waterfall. From the transfer station where we may also purchase small snacks, we continue to follow the yellow signs along the river all the way to the Mezní můstek crossroad. We shall now walk over the bridge above the Kamenice River and climb up the stairs to reach Mezné. We pass by several guesthouses and the Hubertus Hotel and continue towards Mezní Louka. Just before we return to our starting point we will get a chance to enjoy a beautiful view of the Pravčická gate. Total length 13.5 km.
