The name 'Chléviště' (Cowshed) originates from local legends claiming the rock crevices were used as hiding places for livestock during wartime.
The sandstone blocks are divided by deep tectonic joints formed during the Tertiary period as the surrounding crust shifted.
The maze layout is naturally occurring and has been adapted for hikers through the installation of iron railings and stone-hewn steps.
The temperature inside the narrow rock corridors remains significantly lower than the surrounding forest even during peak summer days.
The site contains several distinct viewpoints, including 'Kinského vyhlídka', which offers panoramic vistas of the Suché skály ridge.
Skalní bludiště Chléviště is a natural sandstone rock labyrinth located within the Besedické skály area of the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj). The site features narrow passages, steep stairs, and tight crevices carved into Cretaceous sandstone blocks. It forms part of a geological system shaped by long-term weathering processes. The rock formations provide elevated viewpoints overlooking the Jizera River valley and the Malá Skála region. The trail network is integrated into a circular hiking circuit that connects various rock towers and observation points. Visitors navigate through deep, confined fissures that create a naturally cool, shaded microclimate. The area is part of the protected landscape region of the UNESCO Global Geopark Bohemian Paradise.
The Kinského vyhlídka observation deck for the best perspective of the surrounding valley.
Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear as the sandstone steps can be damp and slippery.
The narrow passages are not suitable for those with claustrophobia or travelers carrying large backpacks.
Combine the visit with the nearby Kalich-Betlém rock circuit for a longer half-day excursion.
Attempting the circuit in winter or during heavy rain, as the rock surfaces become extremely hazardous.
Stay strictly on marked trails to protect the fragile mosses and sandstone surfaces; do not carve or climb on rocks.
