Edmundova a Divoká soutěska (Gorges of the Kamenice River)

Edmundova (Tichá) soutěska (Edmund’s (Quiet) Gorge)

It belongs to the most precious and interesting parts of Bohemian Switzerland. It is named after Prince Edmund Clary-Aldringen. In the deep gorge of the little river Kamenice, you can watch very illustratively the so called reversal of vegetation levels, which appears as a consequence of climate inversion. This means that in consequence of accumulating cold air at the bottom of the gorge, there are species in only 150 m altitude, which need cold. For example alpine yellow-violet, northern firmoss, or twistedstalk, which can usually be found in montane, or submontane altitudes. On edges of sandstone walls occurs marsh Labrador tea, a characteristic species from Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland.

The common kingfisher, white-throated dipper, grey wagtail, black stork, Daubenton's bat, or rarely even Eurasian otter are typical inhabitants of the gorge. From invertebrates there occur species characteristic for montane and inverse altitudes.

A part of the ravine is accessible only on punts – operating since 1890. Edmundova soutěska is accessible on foot from Hřensko. It continues as:

Divoká soutěska (Wild Gorge)

Impressive natural part of a narrow gorge on the Kamenice river, partly accessible only on a punt. Flora and fauna is similar to the ones in Edmunova soutězka. In 1898 the gorge was adjusted to hiking and punts thanks to Mountain Society for Bohemian Switzerland (founded in Děčín in 1878) and to Prince Edmund Clary-Aldringen.

Notice: Perambulators for free, bicycles are not transported.

Operating time and price list: current information to be found on http://www.en.hrensko.net/