The Table Mountains are exactly that: flat-topped sandstone plateaus with rock towers and labyrinths carved into their rims. Szczeliniec Wielki, the highest, is reached by a stone stairway and then a maze of chasms so narrow you turn sideways. Below, the Kłodzko valley holds a fortress town and a string of Habsburg-era spa resorts.
1. Szczeliniec Wielki
Table Mountains NP · Map ↗
A summit plateau of rock corridors, viewpoints and improbable formations, reached by 665 stone steps. The views reach into Czechia.
2. Błędne Skały (Errant Rocks)
Near Kudowa · Map ↗
A labyrinth of sandstone blocks with passages barely shoulder-width — extraordinary and slightly surreal.
3. Kłodzko fortress & gothic bridge
Kłodzko town · Map ↗
A vast Prussian fortress above a town with a statue-lined gothic bridge modelled on Prague's.
4. Kudowa-Zdrój spa park
On the Czech border · Map ↗
A groomed 19th-century spa park with pavilions and flowerbeds, right beside the frontier.
5. Wambierzyce basilica
Valley floor · Map ↗
A monumental baroque pilgrimage church rising above a tiny village — an unexpected piece of grandeur.
Rock labyrinths, practically
Both Szczeliniec and Błędne Skały are one-way trail systems with narrow passages; in summer they can queue. Go early. Sensible shoes are essential and long dresses are a genuine complication — we usually shoot portraits at the viewpoints and keep the passages for atmosphere.
The border spa strip
Kudowa, Duszniki and Polanica are Habsburg-era spa towns strung along the Czech border, all with parks and colonnades. If mountains are not your idea of romance, they offer the same trip in a completely gentler register.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Kłodzko valley from Prague?
About two and a half hours by car via Náchod. The border crossing at Kudowa is one of the busiest and simplest on the Czech-Polish frontier.
How hard is the climb up Szczeliniec?
The main ascent is a stone stairway of around 665 steps — steady rather than technical, and most people manage it in 30–40 minutes. The plateau trail on top is easy but uneven.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, both Szczeliniec Wielki and Błędne Skały are in a national park with ticketed entry, and Błędne Skały uses timed vehicle access in high season.
What is the best season?
Late spring and autumn. Summer weekends are busy at both rock sites; winter can be beautiful but the passages ice up and access may be restricted.