Starting from the east, the E3 enters Czechia from Poland by Harrachov. This village still has a glass factory, in the past glass was also made in the settlements between Harrachov and Liberec. Between these two areas there is a high wooded plateau. A few granite outcrops pierce the ground and there are nature reserves.
Liberec is one of four large towns on this part of the E3, a chance to resupply and learn a little of the area's history in this once German speaking area.
The section from Liberec starts with the tall, unusual Ještěd tower which sits on a mountain with extensive views. Forested hills follow with attractive villages where the inhabitants had a habit of placing cups upside down on fencing. Sandstone outcrops protruded from the forests and reached their finest development in the Czech Swiss region. In this National Park, steps and ladders allowed you to climb to viewing platforms that seemed precariously placed on top of the sandstone blocks. The highlight was a large sandstone arch, the main focus of tour groups.
The section ended when I reached the River Elbe, on its long journey to the North Sea. At this point it is possible to follow the E3 through Germany, however I continued on the Czech side, which went through the riverside city of Děčin.
After Děčin there were a few days of climbing with beautiful views from the escarpment that the E3 ran along in places. Then the E3 travels over a high forested plateau.
This part of the route runs close to the German border, actually on it at times. One consequence is that on the Czech side of the border numerous shops sell cigarettes, alcohol and coffee. They are cheaper than in Germany as is the petrol, although I was surprised by the number of potted plants for sale. Euros were widely accepted on this section, cards were not although commonly used elsewhere in the country.
In the latter part of this section much is made of the mining heritage with museums especially in Jáchymov.
A little before Jáchymov the trail reaches its highest point in this part of the trail. Klinovec rises to 1244 metres. Shortly after the E3 turns south to the famous spa town of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad).
The whole route is well waymarked. On the European Hiking Federation website for the E3 in the Czech Republic a document provides details of the which coloured waymarks to follow. Although I wild camped a few nights, with more effort you could book accommodation for every day in pensions, hotels or campsites, although note they may be closed out of the main tourist season. Trails are usually good forest tracks, sometimes paved for cyclists.
The start of my walk on the western part of the E3 in the Czech Republic is here.
The start of my blog on the E3 is here.
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