which is visible from a great distance in a large area . Fantastic view from the top of one tower. As this is a ruin nothing special from the history and the life in this castle can be seen there.

We caught the train from Jicin to Borek and walked up from there- quite steep at the end but doable- we are in our 60's but quite fit. We didn't go into the castle as we still had quite a long way to walk. Obviously really old from the look of it and a charge of around 80kc to get in. We then carried on walking to Hruba Skala with many different impressive views of the castle. At the end of walk we caught train back from Hruba Skala to Jicin.

Some sixty kilometres north-east of the Prague (capital city of the Czech Republic) is located a popular National and UN registered park with the name of “Czech Paradise.” This area of about 1500 square kilometres of a natural and cultural wonders is strewn with many separate sandstone formations containing a fantastic variations of the steep cliff towers, deep hidden glens, meadows and glades wrestled from the coniferous and soft-wood forests ages ago and the natural and man-made ponds. This area is also an inhabited, working area with many villages and towns as well as agricultural and tourist industry. The wheat and rapeseed fields and fruit orchards are worked regularly alongside of sometime hectic tourism enterprises. A many hiking, colour-branded trails weave a veritable web that connects the separate areas of the rock formations as well as many castles, chalets, and the tourist and spa resorts that complement the physical characteristics of the rock formations and the nature. The overall effect of all this is the reason why the area earned its name. I sat on the old, wooden, moss overgrown garden bench on the front lawn of Pension Trosky in the emerging dusk. It was mostly clear night in late June. The heavy scent of Jasmine permeated the air. I drank this scent into my lungs. It made me slightly nostalgic as I observed the scenery. At my back, the wide valley stretched all the way to the county seat of Jicin to the left. On the far right of the vale loomed a black mass of the castle Kost just barely visible on the darkening horizon. Between of these two objects of interest, among the forests, nestled a village and a few hamlets settling down after the busy day’s work. A tiny eruptions of yellow lights appeared in the darkness. The houses were arming themselves against the encroaching night- like subdued fireworks in Lilliput land. In front of me, behind the Pension, a silhouette of the dark, stony, twin towers of Trosky- like a magical castle from the witch’s grimoire- reached high to the deepening darkness of the night. The towers stood fully exposed in the inky night by the yellow and orange lights beaming at the towers from their hidden spots in the woody area that surrounded the remnants of the castle. The familiar scene dominated the warm, summer sky, just as it dominated the scenery of whole Czech Paradise. Trosky were a part of Czech folklore since the medieval ages. The twin towers, the lower and fatter one named Baba and the higher and thinner one named Panna. In the olden times they were connected by the stone bridge- now fallen down in time gone by. There is a treasure buried somewhere within its grounds-they say. Never found- though many tried. A deep abyss too, that leads down, down straight to the Hell-they also say. Nobody ever saw this abyss, it is hidden well. Yet, supposedly, a demons come out of this abyss and collect their given, sinning souls in the night- before the roosters call a new day-and pack them down with them to the Hell. I sat on my bench and reflected on my life. It was almost fifty years since I first climbed these towers. Then, in my child mind I spun the tales that still- to this time, in the middle of some nights-enter into my consciousness. As I sat in the memory of those old dreams, I wondered why the logic took away my young imagination in the favor of certainty. And in that moment of reflection, an owl hooed somewhere near, sending a shiver down my spine. The warm breeze from the castle brought unknown scent that danced in the night, among the clouds of fireflies. And for the moment, I thought that I saw a dark flying form that blocked the lighted castle from my eyes. Then I laughed, a bit in unease, shook my head to lose that false vision and gladly accepted the hot toddy of rum from the tray brought to me by the Pension’s maid. Not any dark demon or fairy, but fair and human maid. As we toasted in our friendly way, I never mentioned to her my strange vision that I thought I had, just prior to her appearance. And as I sipped on my hot, sweet drink I thought sadly of what could have been- if I was still that young, little child when I was the first time in this paradise.

Yes, it is located at a peculiar location high on top of a volcanic mountain. But you can only visit the ruins of the two towers. When we visited there were no animals like shown in some of the pictures. In the courtyard there was a podium where I guess you could sometimes see a show or spectacle, but with no time table or info it's hard to tell. The bistro near the castle entrance was nice and with good food. We enjoyed the Prachov rocks not too far away much more. From there you could also see Trosky castle as a distinct landmark.

Absolute rubbish. A pile of rocks that they charge you to look at. Nothing interesting at all. Enjoy the the View from the outside and save your money. They even charge you for parking your car… Big disapointment!!

Not worth the money. Rude staff and rigid rules. Don't go It looks better from the outside. And don't bring dog

Kids enjoyed it due to great views and could hold interesting birds like owls and Falcons.Many stairs to see view. Also the Baba tower was completely infested with insects so we have to go down immediately without seeing view

From afar this might is great. Really dominating feature. You will be charged for parking and for entrance fees. No dogs allowed, not even in backpack. We did however manage to get our chihuahua through, because our backpack had hard cover and therefor no way for a dog to bark on people, bite someone, no way out for him and no way in. There is a dog corner before entrance, but dogs are put to close together for me to be comfortable with that. Views from above are really good, but if you have seen one castle ruin to many in your life, you can skip it too.

Small mediaveal castle in the middle of the peaceful country side. There is not too much to explore in the castle but the views are super great. The towers are built on the top of the huge vulcanic cliff. There is a good restaurant near the parking places and a bistro for snacks on the upper level.

If you go off the main road leading from Turnov to Jicin and cover some 6-7 km up the hill, you will meet some vivid traces of old medieval times - the ruins of Trosky. The two towers raging up to some remarkable height can be partially climbed up to. This requires some persistance and fitness, however, doable by "normal people", not sportsmen, only. Mind, the entrance fee (80 CZK) only slightly exceeds the enormous fee for a car park slot (60 CZK for a personal car) from where you need to climb up for some 10 minutes to reach the castle entrance.