The Podtrosecka valleys nature reserve was declared with the purpose to protect the largest complex of marshland biotopes in the Bohemian Paradise. They are canyon-like valleys lined with thick-bedded sandstones with eight preserved ponds (Rokytnak, Hrudka, Vidlak, Krcak, Vezak, Dolsky, Nebak and Podsemin ponds). The Podtrosecke ponds are an example of landscape transformation carried out by people.

A complex of ponds was created from valley meads and marshlands in the 16th century. The created pond system enabled economic usage of the area and also created an interesting, aesthetically and ecologically balanced landscape. There are interesting communities of marshland plants and water birds. This is an area of an extraordinary landscape and natural scientific value.

Our recommended circuit starts at the parking site at the Vidlak pond, which is fed by the Jordanka brook, flowing form the nearby watershed peat bog. Jordanka feeds also the Krcak and Vezak ponds and behind the U Pribyla marsh it flows into Zehrovka.

Walk along the yellow trail from Vidlak past the tourist restaurant. On the left you can catch a glimpse of the smaller Krcak pond. Walk along the valleys to the Vezicky pond with the area of 6 ha, the scenery of which belongs to the most beautiful ones in the Bohemian Paradise. The rocks reflecting in the pond´s surface often inspired film-makers to shoot romantic scenes. In summer it is possible to have a swim in the pond. The Information Centre of the Protected Landscape Area on the bank of the pond is open In the tourist season.

Turn left at the information board at the small parking site near the road and follow the green trail. Not far away from the road fork there is a strong spring Prdlavka on the right side. It belongs to the most famous ones in the Bohemian Paradise. In the past people even believed in its curative effect.

Follow the green tourist trail along the road. On the left it gives you beautiful views of the untouched nature of a mead forest which originated in the bottom of the former pond. Turn left at the U Pribyla road fork where Jordanka flows into Zehrovka and follow the red trail along the valley up Zehrovka towards the Podseminsky mill. Zehrovka has its source in the western part of the Prachovske rocks, it is 24 km long and flows into the Jizera near the Brezina village.

Pass through the mill grounds past the Podsemin pond till Nebakov to the mill which is mentioned as early as in the 15th century. Its present appearance dates back to the first half of the 18th century. The nearby sculpture of St Jan of Nepomuk, placed in the artificially cut rock niche, dates back to 1740. As early as in the thirties, a romantic boarding house was built in the Nebakov pond dike. It is still frequently visited and you can get some refreshment here. It is possible to have a swim here in summer, too. In the Middle Ages, there used to be a small castle at the forested promontory to the south of the recreation centre, of which a visible fortress has been preserved.

Continue along the blue trail from Nebakov along a narrow valley. The surrounding is an important nesting place of birds of prey and owls. When you reach the road at the Semin hamlet, notice the remnants of the biggest fortifications from the Celtic era and from the whole Bohemian prehistoric times. A part of a massive, almost ten metres high rampart is visible there.

The blue trail continues along the road to Troskovice. Behind the village, the blue trail joins the green one at the memorial to soldiers killed in action during the First World War. The green trail comes from the nearby Svitacka camping site which lies at the edge of an interesting rocky town called Apolena (natural reserve) in the southern slope of Trosky.

Our trip continues upward along the blue and green trails to the Pod Troskami hotel where there is some refreshment. Gradually you get beautiful views of the whole Bohemian Paradise. Unfortunately, you can also see the devastated landscape in the surrounding of Hrdonovice, where quality glass-industry sand is still being intensively extracted.

From the parking site you can climb up the dominating feature of the Bohemian Paradise - the Trosky castle ruin (448 m). The castle was built on the naked towers of a basalt volcanic rock by Cenek of Vartenberk in 1380-90. It was deserted during the Thirty Years War. The higher tower is called Virgin (59 m), the lower one is called Hag (49). It is possible to climb the viewpoint tower from the 19th century and when the stairs are completed, you can ascend the Hag tower too.

Go back from the castle to the parking site and follow the red trail along the road to Tachov. Descend steeply behind the hamlet to the starting point of the circuit in Vidlak. In summer a simple camping site is open at Vidlak behind the parking site.