Valdštejn Castle — Attraction in okres Semily

It's a very nice place to visit. The disappointing thing though (that is not specified and worth at least being mentioned) - the tickets are for guided (in Czech) and non-guided visits. The price for a visit without a guide (Vstupné bez průvodce ) - 90,- Kč for an adult. We did not speak Czech, so did not have reasons to join the guided groups (though difference was really minor, less than 1Eur - Vstupné s průvodcem plné 110,- Kč) 5 minutes later we found 2 sets of exhibitions (2 floors out of 4 available) were allowed for visiting by JUST guided groups. The guide we met explained "it's true and may be "unfair", but they still have a room for improvements". So, if you have plans to visit all available exhibitions of the castle, buy the ticket with a guidance in czech language. Also,...

Nested in beautiful forest surrounded by rocks the castle is small yet treat to eye. There are several ways to reach. Best way is to follow the red trail where on the way a watch tower on rock crosses path. That trail is 3km from the trail head and not so difficult having best views inside the forest. The other way is quite shorter 2.5 km green trail but you will not see the watch tower on the way and it is mostly on a vehicle road which is not that interesting on summertime. The castle has small caffe inside and a mid sized restaurant outside serving soup fries tea coffee and food. Outside area is free to do more walk and cycling. Beautiful day...

DO NOT LISTEN TO GOOGLE MAPS

it claims you can drive to the castle and you CANNOT! it is merely a service road for the places up top and for hiking only. I ended up driving on the trail and looked like a complete A-hole, I’m surprised there is not a barricade at the trailhead to prevent clueless idiots like me from doing what I did. I’ve never been more embarrassed and felt like an idiotic tourist than this. The view and the castle are worth it though just learn from my mistake and don’t put so much stock...