Čakan

Čakan is a 398-metre hill rising above the village of Rakov, part of the Markvartice municipality in the Jičín District, right in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) tourist region. It's a modest summit with an outsized view, drawing both casual walkers and rock climbers looking for a quieter alternative to the region's more famous sandstone towns.

Where exactly is Čakan?

The hill sits roughly 4 km southeast of the town of Sobotka, directly above Rakov, a small village belonging to Markvartice and located about 1.5 km east of the Markvartice centre itself. Rakov's first written record dates back to 1337, when the settlement was founded as a farming estate by a nobleman named Dobeš of Rakov. Geologically, Čakan is made up of claystone, sandstone, and basaltoid rock — a mix typical of this corner of Bohemian Paradise, where sedimentary layers meet volcanic remnants.

What will you find at the top?

The summit holds a lookout water tank — a concrete structure with a semicircular seating area built right into it, offering an almost full panorama. To the north, you can pick out the ruins of Trosky Castle, the rock formations of Prachovské skály, the Ještěd–Kozákov ridge, and, on a clear day, the Krkonoše (Giant) Mountains. To the south, the view opens onto the flat Polabí lowland. Čakan also sits on a watershed: the Mrlina and Žehrovka rivers both rise here, along with tributaries feeding the Klenice and Cidlina — making the hill a genuinely important hydrological landmark for the region.

A short walk further, near the hamlet of Příchvoj (about a kilometre from the lookout), you'll find a well-kept spring marking the source of the Mrlina river, complete with a bench — a pleasant stop partway along the route.

The hill also draws climbers: its sandstone outcrops are registered with the Czech Mountaineering Association (Český horolezecký svaz) as a climbing area, though it stays far quieter than the region's bigger rock cities.

How do you get to Čakan?

On foot, the easiest approach starts in Sobotka: about 4.4 km along the main road No. 16 to Rakov, then following the road to the bus stop at the foot of the hill. The climb is gentle and mostly level, so it works even for families pushing strollers.

By car, turn off road No. 16 toward Rakov — there's a paved parking area right by the lookout tank, or you can leave the car by the bus stop slightly lower down.

There's no food or shop along the way, so it's worth stocking up in Sobotka beforehand.

When's the best time to visit?

Since the main draw here is the view, a clear day is worth planning for — that's when the panorama toward the Krkonoše Mountains and Trosky really pays off. Spring and autumn make for pleasant, cool walking, while in summer it's best to head up early, before the exposed summit gets hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is Čakan? The hill reaches 398 metres above sea level; the lookout point by the water tank itself sits at around 397 metres.

Is the route suitable for children? Yes — it's an easy, mostly flat approach, manageable even with a stroller.

What can you see from the lookout? An almost circular panorama: Trosky Castle, the Prachovské skály rocks, and the Krkonoše Mountains to the north, and the flat Polabí lowland to the south.

Is there anywhere to eat nearby? Not directly on the route — the nearest food options are in Sobotka, so it's best to bring supplies from there.