Soutesky Hrensko

Location

Hrensko community.

Accessibility

You can get to Edmundova souteska from Hrensko, to Divoka souteska from Mezni Louka.

Opening hours

Fee

Contact

Obec Hrensko
Hrensko 71
407 17 Hrensko
Tel.: +420 412 554 021

E-mail

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Link

http://www.hrensko.cz/soutesky

Description

The gorges on the river Kamenice had long represented a difficult barrier which had to be overcome by the right-bank inhabitants of Vysoka Lipa and Mezna in their way from the church at Ruzova. But the river Kamenice did not mean only an obstacle, but also a source of income – it was being used for wood floating; also, it was a paradise for fishermen during the winter trout and salmon fares.

In 1877 a pentad of adventurers made a seemingly crazy bet in the pub U Zeleneho Stromu at Hrensko. They set off on three wooden raft to Dolsky mlyn (in those times called "the end of the world". Four metres long rafts carried them all the way to Hrensko without difficulty. Thus, the cornerstone of tourism was laid.

The count Clary-Aldringen called for Italian experts and under their conduction 200 workmen started arranging the gorges, also with the help of the Mountaineers Club of the Bohemian Switzerland. Floating footways, bridges, tunnels, over crossings, and a weir. On 4th May 1890 the Ticha (Edmundova) souteska with a restaurant was opened. The barge traffic was provided by 5 boats, the ferrymen wore marine uniforms and steered the barge by means of bargepole, which has remained until present times. Divoka souteska was opened eight years later in 1898.

To show you how famous this attraction was in the twenties of 20th century, this is an extract from the written documents from that period: in Edmundova souteska there were 14 barges employed, in Divoka souteska 7; altogether, 160 000 people visited this place every year. The barges were at worked from 7 am till dark. Strict rules needed to be followed – begging, door-to-door business, photographing for business purposes, publishing political leaflets and posters was prohibited.

Today, what is waiting here for you is a romantic walk along the river Kamenice surrounded by the walls of high rocks. You will pass along rock overhangs, tunnels, narrow overcrossings. Two parts of the route need to be passed by boat only – it is the already mentioned Edmundova (or sometimes called Ticha) and Divoka souteska. The human-force-driven barge will take you through the rock formations, the ferrymen will introduce you to the rock inhabitants of the beautiful gorges.