Devil's wall
The Devil’s Wall rises above the once-famous Devil’s Rapids of the Vltava River.
Above the Vltava valley spreads one of the most iconic rock formations – the Devil’s Wall, located between Loučovice and Vyšší Brod. The protected area of Devil’s Wall was combined with the Luč reserve into the Devil’s Wall – Luč National Nature Reserve.
This wild rocky slope is covered with chaotically scattered granite boulders. Pines and birches, often of unusual shapes, grow among the rocks. A 30-meter-high rock block – the Devil’s Pulpit – rises above the valley, offering stunning views of the romantic Vltava riverbed. The formation inspired B. Smetana, who composed the opera "The Devil’s Wall" to a libretto by E. Krásnohorská. Beneath the Devil’s Wall, the Vltava flows through a boulder-filled channel known as the Devil’s Rapids. The streambed contains giant potholes up to 1 meter in diameter.
Several legends are associated with the Devil’s Wall. The most famous tells of a devil who wanted to destroy the newly built monastery in nearby Vyšší Brod by building a stone dam across the valley to flood it. However, he didn’t finish in time, and at dawn, the structure collapsed, scattering boulders across the river and hillsides. In reality, the Devil’s Wall was formed by glacial activity.
Access: Parking at the Vyšší Brod – Loučovice road; a marked hiking and cycling trail runs on the opposite bank with information panels. About 1 km west, the summit of Luč offers more rock formations and panoramic views over the valley, Devil’s Wall, and part of the Lipno reservoir.
