Among the rocks above Kraslice

Kraslicko is literally teeming with natural treasures you wouldn't expect to find in this somewhat overlooked part of the Ore Mountains. This time we will visit several rocky outcrops, a vanished village, and, above all, enjoy amazing views.
We start our route at the crossroads Nová Ves, which we reached by car, but don't attempt it with a low clearance vehicle. You can comfortably reach it by walking along Hřebenovka from the bus or train from the center of Kraslice. A stroller is not suitable, but a child in a carrier will be thrilled :-)

We head north along Hřebenovka and are immediately captivated by the various stone lines of different heights along the roads and forests. Maybe remnants of boundary markers between properties or fields and forests, who knows... Do you know? After a few meters, the first mountain guardians peek through the trees. A distinct granite monolith rises to an elevation of 835 meters, and you can climb it even without protection. However, more demanding climbers will also enjoy it, with up to 32 routes including fixed protection. Additionally, near the rock, dubbed Cat Rock, there is a fireplace with seating, so you can sit here comfortably all day long.

But we move on. To the area of the former village of Nová Ves. The village was established around 1631 and was primarily sustained by agriculture and forestry, with oats and rye being cultivated here. Some residents were involved in charcoal burning, and wooden coal was transported to the ironworks in Rotava. In 1910, a two-classroom school was built here. Today, the village is remembered by a chalet settlement and a monument.

However, behind the second part of the settlement, you will find (especially when the weather is nice) a gem. The view of the wooded mountains of Kraslicko, which you can observe from a long wooden bench in the shade of a rowan tree under the protection of wooden Marzebilla and a wise owl. And you will definitely frame the photo taken from the open wooden doors at home. (Geocachers will also be pleased here.) We recommend spending some time here, just in silence, perhaps even for healing a weary soul, as it is written on the owl totem…

… and then set out on another adventure! Up the hill towards Komáří vrch, along forest paths which surprised us with snow on the last day of April. The peak at an elevation of 951 meters is protected from the east by Chudá Nevesta rock, and from the west by Hraběcí rock. Just like Cat Rock, these also make one wonder how they got their shape. They resemble stone figures that someone assembled long ago, which have since grown considerably. In reality, geologists estimate the age of the rocks to be an incredible 330 million years, with the individual layers of granite showing them the sequence of ice ages in the Quaternary.

The Chudá Nevesta rock is even linked to a legend, which states that the formation represents a petrified carriage with horses. Allegedly, a bride was traveling on it with her entire dowry, which consisted only of a few duvets and a suitcase. However, this meant nothing to a rejected suitor, who, using dark powers, turned her to stone.

We leave the Countess and the bride to rest and head down the hill back to our starting point. The forest path we chose is more trodden by animals than humans, making it all the more authentic. And when you hear the burbling of the Novoveský stream, you know you're approaching the finish line. You have a comfortable 6 kilometers behind you and a sufficiently satisfied wild spirit. And if you adjust the route a bit, you might even manage it with a stroller :-)

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