Krkavčí skály

Krkavčí skály is a sandstone rock hill rising to 472 metres above sea level, roughly half a kilometre north of the village of Křižany, the municipality that also includes Žibřidice. Climbers have nicknamed the formation "Vajoletky," a nod to the far more imposing Vajolet Towers in the Italian Dolomites — the resemblance is more about character than scale. It is the kind of spot that rarely makes it into mainstream guidebooks yet still rewards anyone who takes the short detour.

What are these rocks made of?

The hill is built from quartz sandstones dating to the Turonian period, in places enriched with iron compounds, cut through by a vein of neovolcanic rock. Geologically it belongs to the Ralská pahorkatina (Ralsko Uplands), specifically the southwestern end of the Ještěd Ridge. Erosion has carved the hard sandstone into narrow walls, towers and pillars 10 to 20 metres tall, with a height difference of 15 to 35 metres depending on whether you measure from the upland side or from the valley floor below.

How many towers are there, and what are they called?

The main rock group splits into two distinct towers plus several smaller blocks. The western tower is known as Panna (Maiden), the eastern one as Praporek (Banner). Together with the so-called Malá věž (Small Tower), they form the backbone of a genuinely popular climbing area — around 40 climbing routes have been established here in total, 20 of them on the Small Tower alone, including some of the hardest lines in the group.

Is it worth visiting without climbing gear?

Absolutely. The rocks are reachable via a green-marked hiking trail, and the approach — starting from the "Křižany u Krkavčích skal" bus stop, crossing a field and a short stretch of forest — covers only about half a kilometre and is not demanding. Even children can manage it comfortably. From the top, the view opens onto the gently rolling landscape of the Ralsko Uplands.

How do you get there and where can you park?

The starting point is the "Křižany u Krkavčích skal" bus stop, which has a small car park nearby. From there, a farm track leads to a meadow; crossing it brings you to the edge of the forest that climbs up to the rock hill.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Krkavčí skály? Half a kilometre north of Křižany, in the Liberec district, within the same cadastral territory as the village. Žibřidice, a part of the Křižany municipality, lies directly nearby.

Is this a good spot for beginner climbers? Not really — the rocks are primarily a destination for experienced sandstone climbers, and several routes on the Small Tower rank among the hardest in the area. Hikers without gear can still reach the top of the hill itself via the marked trail.

Where does the nickname "Vajoletky" come from? It's a playful name coined by climbers, referencing the much larger Vajolet Towers in the Dolomites — the link is about the shape of the terrain rather than its size.

Is the trail suitable for families with children? Yes. The walk from the car park is about half a kilometre over gentle terrain through a field and a patch of forest.

Which geographical region do the rocks belong to? The Ralsko Uplands, specifically the southwestern edge of the Ještěd Ridge in the Liberec Region.