📜 Český kras is a prominent rock climbing region located in the Protected Landscape Area of Český kras, featuring extensive limestone cliffs along the Berounka river and Kačák stream. 🔍 This traditional climbing area, active since 1940, is considered to have some of the best limestone in the western Czech Republic.
☀️ Main attraction is limestone rock climbing, with routes ranging from wall climbing on small holds to slabs and overhangs.
🧗♀️ The area offers both sport and traditional climbing, with routes secured by bolts, rings, pitons, and occasionally nuts.
👨👩👧👦 Some sectors like Tetín and Kobyla are developed with families and recreational climbers in mind, offering shorter routes and more accessible holds.
📖 A comprehensive 2022 guidebook details 1400 routes across various sectors, including Branické skály, Hlubočepské plotny, Prokopské údolí, Radotínské údolí, Srbsko, Alkazar, Kavčí lom, Svatý Jan pod Skalou, Solvayovy lomy, Tetínské skály, Lom Kobyla, Kotýz, Koukolova hora, Korno, Tomáškův lom, and Aniččina stěna.
🗓️ The right bank of the Berounka (north-facing) is ideal for summer climbing, while the left bank ("Old Srbsko") is better for autumn, winter, and spring.
⚠️ Some areas, such as Svatý Jan pod Skalou and Kotýz, have seasonal climbing restrictions.
🚫 Certain historical climbing spots like Šanův kout and Andělská stěna are currently prohibited.
🚧 Tomáškův lom has fragile, dirty walls and a risk of rockfall, while routes in Korno can be too close together.
📏 Be aware of different grading systems (UIAA vs. French) used in various sectors, which can lead to perceived "grade inflation" in newer areas like Tetín and Kobyla.
🎟️ Entry fees: Not applicable for the natural climbing area itself.
📖 Guidebook: Approximately 900 Kč (published 2022).
🅿️ Parking: The guidebook provides GPS coordinates and QR codes for the nearest parking spots for each sector.
🚗 The climbing areas are spread across the wide canyon valley of the Berounka river, between Beroun and Karlštejn, and around the Kačák stream from Svatý Jan pod Skalou.
🤝 The Czech Mountaineering Association (Český horolezecký svaz - ČHS) oversees the management and rules for rock climbing areas in the Czech Republic. Specific areas like Tetín and Kobyla are managed under annual agreements with local municipalities.