The first tourist signage in Prachovské skály started to appear in the late 1880s and most likely at the same time, the first tourist trails started to be developed. However, the Emperor´s Corridor (Císařská chodba) was adjusted even before that date. It happened when Emperor Francis I visited the area in 1813 when an anti-Napoleonic campaign was planned in the town of Jičín. In 1909, the Riegrova stezka Trail (between Semily and Podspálov) opened. It remains one of the more technically challenging trails. Later in 1913, the Palackého stezka Trail along the Kamenice River followed. The Budcova stezka Trail was developed between Mnichovo Hradiště and Příhrazy and in the 1930s, the Eduard Beneš Trail in the Besedické skály (rocks) opened. The Czech Tourist Club owned or was in charge of managing many sites, lodging houses and restaurants. Therefore, the idea to connect them all in one trail emerged. The name “Golden Path”, including the description of individual sections first appeared in a publication published by the Czech Tourist Club 1937 and before WWII, a promotional film was made.

Compared to the original path, the current Golden Path has undergone many changes due to various factors (different uses of farming land after the war, the development of roads, sand extraction, etc.) – for instance, the section between the Trosky castle ruins and the Prachovské skály (rocks) was damaged. Prachovské skály were originally accessible via the Golden Path from Mladějov and Trosky. However, sand extraction made one of the paths inaccessible. Therefore, the rocks can be best accessed today from the town of Jičín.

The red marked trail passes through the following places today:

Mladá Boleslav – Bakov nad Jizerou – Mnichovo Hradiště – Valečov – Drábské světničky – Příhrazy – Kost – Nebákov – Trosky – Hrubá Skála – Valdštejn – Turnov – Frýdštejn – Malá Skála – Besedice – Kozákov – Tábor – Železnice – Jičín

Trail marking: red hiking trail
Trail length: 118 km (including a loop through Prachovské skály it is 133 km). The trail is recommended for hiking only. There are many steep climbs and descents with stairs throughout the rocky terrain. Therefore, if you wish to take a baby stroller, look for destinations in barrier-free trip section.