The Ridge Trail with a Dog
You can walk the Ridge trail through Bohemian Switzerland with a group of friends, with your family or with your partner; you can treat it as a rite of passage with a teenage child; set off on it with a parent with whom you need to delve into topics for which there’s no time in everyday life; or you can walk it alone, to spend time in the silence of the forest and look deep within yourself without distraction…
Or one morning you could simply call out to Freddy, Punťa, Asta or Ťapina, take the lead off the hook, grab a travel water bowl, pack some kibble and treats, and set off on the Ridge Trail with your dog.
We’ve already pointed out several times when talking about the Ridge Trail that it’s a long-distance route in the heart of Europe, which means many things, but amongst other things, it also means that along the way you needn’t worry about any dangerous animals, unexpected extreme weather, armed gangs, unpredictable locals or getting lost in the wilderness.
Instead of wild predators, the most you’re likely to come across is a stray cat, though you’re more likely to startle some roe deer and red deer whilst they’re grazing. Instead of a rattlesnake or a black widow, a ladybird or an ant might crawl into your sleeping bag, and instead of bandits or money-hungry kidnappers, the most you’ll encounter along the way are grumpy holidaymakers or frustrated mushroom pickers. There’ll be no hurricanes or tornadoes; the wind here tends to take the form of a pleasant breeze that caresses your face when you emerge from the woods onto a meadow or a viewpoint.
So there’s no risk of finding yourself in situations where, as well as looking after yourself, you’d have to look after a four-legged creature too. If you assess the temperate climate correctly and equip both yourself and your dog with everything you need, you’ll enjoy the trip together without any major difficulties.
Of course, you must bear in mind that, with four legs and no hands, it’s not possible, for example, to climb a ladder. And because the Ridge trail is very varied, it does indeed pass through several more challenging sections featuring ladders that you have to climb to reach the viewpoints. It’s therefore a good idea to have a look at the map and plan your route so that you don’t have to worry about what to do with your dog or, if necessary, turn back because of obstacles.
Focus in particular on those sections of the Ridge trail where there are rock formations. Well, that’s actually almost everywhere :). So let’s be a bit more specific.
Right at the start of the trek, coming from Petrovice, you’ll pass through the rock formations in Tisá, Rájec and Ostrov. There are plenty of sandstone towers here, but the trail mainly runs between them, so don’t worry, in Tisá, be careful at the viewpoints, and either avoid the sections where you have to walk on the rocks, or put your dog on a lead; or, if your dog is smaller, carry them in your arms or carefully put them in your rucksack – there are a few paths with steps or where you’ll need to use your hands to help yourself up.
It’s also important to know that puppies’ spines are still developing until they’re about six months old, and even simply walking up and down steps can be harmful at this stage. So do bear in mind not to ask too much of your little pup – it might not be suitable for them yet – and consult your vet if necessary.
On the way to Děčínský Sněžník, we recommend keeping your dog on a lead in the area around the Drážďanská viewpoint; not that there’s anything particularly perilous there, but you’ll be at a considerable height, and although dogs aren’t suicidal creatures and have good instincts, it’s important to realise that if they’re used to lazing about on the sofa at home, the sudden drop-off at the rocky viewpoint might take them by surprise.
Also take care around Koňská hlava, where you’ll be winding your way down along the ridge and between boulders; whilst there’s nothing here that a four-legged furball couldn’t handle, the section is simply narrower and a little more treacherous.
As a reward, you can then take a detour to Vlčí Lake, which your dog will absolutely love – the lake is fairly shallow and in summer you can cool off there and enjoy a lovely little break for both dog and owner.
That’s another thing to bear in mind when trekking with a dog. Your dog will be going flat out; there’s so much excitement for them in the woods, so many trails and scents, that it’s hard for them to stop or slow down when they start to feel tired. So take frequent breaks where you can both stretch out (it’s a good idea to bring your dog’s favourite blanket to make resting easier for them), have a drink and eat something to give you both a boost of energy.
The ridge trail then passes through the area around Děčín and through Děčín itself, and here it’s certainly true that you can’t be too careful. For a dog, an urban environment is often more dangerous than the wilderness. There are cars driving about, there’s a much greater chance of meeting other dog walkers, and you need to be on your guard against those whose pets aren’t as well-trained or as easy to read as yours.
You probably know from experience that if you’re approaching another dog owner you don’t know whilst walking your dog, it’s good manners to put your own dog on a lead. If the other dog owner is also considerate, they’ll put their dog on a lead too. If not, we wish you the best of luck, a level head and strong nerves.
This brings us to another point. You probably won’t take a boisterous puppy that doesn’t yet obey your commands on a long-distance trek. Nor are you likely to take an aggressive guard dog that’s used to being chained up at home. However, you never know what other people’s situations are like, so if you’re passing through a village or a holiday cottage settlement, it’s best to actually clip your dog onto a lead; locals are often used to letting their dogs run free, and a local dog feels at home in its own territory and may behave unpredictably towards a strange dog.
Be sure to pack your dog’s vaccination certificate for the trip, just in case your dog, despite all precautions, gets into a tussle with another domestic animal and you need to sort out a scratch or two. Make sure you also have a basic first-aid kit with you, as well as something to clean and dress any wounds before you can get from the countryside to the nearest vet.
In Děčín, you should definitely keep your dog on a lead; the town centre you’ll be walking through is full of cars. And if you plan to use public transport, don’t forget to bring a muzzle with you and put it on when necessary. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of free transport across the Ústí nad Labem Region with DÚKapka if you’re staying at one of the participating accommodation providers for at least two nights.
Speaking of leads, bear in mind that one of the legal rules for walking in the national park is that dogs must be kept on a lead, so keep this in mind both when choosing a suitable lead for your trek and whilst you’re out and about.
If you fancy a bite to eat in town but don’t want any hassle about bringing your dog into a restaurant, try Kemp Děčín or Kocanda during the summer season – the latter has an outdoor terrace. It’s best to let your dog off the lead only once you’ve passed Kvádrberk, which is a paradise for dog owners in Děčín.
Otherwise, a fairly peaceful stretch through woods and meadows awaits you, all the way to Hřensko, where a bit of caution is again required – and a lead is definitely essential. Above Hřensko, you’ll be walking through woods again, and on paths that aren’t overrun by crowds, as the ridge trail avoids the Pravčiká Gate. In Mezná, head for a meal at Resort Mezná, where the restaurant in Building A – Na vyhlídce – has an outdoor terrace where you can sit.
In the next section of the ridge trail, you’ll approach the rock castle of Šaunštejn. Provided you don’t climb up onto the rocks – which requires using ladders – and your dog can manage the gentle iron steps, you’ll be quite safe here too. If you don’t want to take any risks, turn off the ridge trail at Mezní louka onto the blue trail or the quiet road – which also follows Cycle Route 8 (Northern) – and rejoin the ridge trail again at Vysoká Lípa. Here, you can also enjoy a lovely break at the Kortus Hotel restaurant, which has a lovely outdoor terrace.
Further on, the Jetřichovice viewpoints await, where it’s again worth exercising extra caution and being prepared to avoid climbing ladders and steep steps.
In the next sections of the ridge trail through Bohemian Switzerland, it’s best to avoid the Kyjov Valley with your dog and take the yellow trail at Sýrový potok. After that, you’ll find yourself in the gentle countryside beneath the Lausitanien Mountains, where there are no rocks, ladders or steps to worry about – though on hot days, you’ll need to make sure you find plenty of shade.
And finally, one more incentive: share your experiences of the ridge trail with your canine companion with us and others! Simply add the hashtag #ceskesvycarskosepsem to your photos and videos on social media, and you’ll be part of the family!
This article was produced as part of the project “Marketing Activities to Promote Tourism in Bohemian Switzerland”, implemented with funding from the Czech Republic’s state budget under a programme of the Ministry of Regional Development.
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