Malá Skála

Today was our second hiking day. We almost piked out because we couldn't quite navigate the public bus and train system here in Turnov. However after a good night's sleep, Ruby had a great idea to use the bus app called IDOS. Found a bus at 745am and we had a connecting bus at the terminus to take us to Mala Skala. We waited and waited and waited, but 302 bus never turned up and we had missed the connecting bus. So we checked the app again and found another bus that took us to the train which took us to Mala Skala that way. Asked a shop keeper and he wanted us to walk 3km to the train station. Forget that! We are planning to do a 10km hike already and did not need another 3km on top.
So we patiently waited at another bus stop and this time it was more promising as others were also gathering for the same bus. Got to Mala Skala finally.
Mala Skala is a quaint little town with folk houses, the longest rock castle ruin Vranov-Pantheon in Europe, the Jizera river, beautiful rock formation around Cievertes and a fault that stretches all the way to Dresden.

This hike is the most gruelling so far. We had to climb up to max 522m elevation, with lots of rises and falls on steep terrain.

First stop was the Mala Skala Castle ruin. We got asked if were seniors and got in on seniors tickets, maybe because we hobbled in like geriatrics or my white hair gave it away.

The castle ruin had lots of sectioned rooms, caves and halls, each with a dedicated use. We were given a laminated folder with numbers corresponding to the numbers on the ruins. Very well organised and informed. I got views of the Frýdštejn castle from the highest point of the castle that you got to via a very narrow stairs. It was only about 30cm wide. I had to climb up like climbing the rungs of a ladder and come down backwards. Ruby's knees were too unstable to attempt it.

The castle was long and narrow as it sat on a long and narrow ridge that had one end at the Jizera river and the other end spanning across the ridge.

We continued our hike towards the Sokol Mt. On the way we found some trees in the field without fences so we gladly got some sustenance from the trees. No wonder Adam got into trouble all those years ago. The apples are very inviting and I believe Adam only had one to choose from.

The sandstone sculptures and lookouts were well placed and looked over beautiful views.

I don't know what it is with buses in Turnov but on our return journey, we got the time right for the bus but was waiting at the wrong stop. Fortunately a nice man waved frantically at us to catch the bus from the other stop and kept the bus waiting for us. At our second bus change we were at the bus stop only to find that the bus picks up from another bus stop, 50m down the road. This time, the nice but grumpy bus driver stopped to pick us up whilst we were running towards the bus. If he hadn't there were no other buses left for the night!
Total walk was 14 km.Read more