Prague/Hrensko (dpa/sn) - After the devastating forest fire last summer, the Czech National Park Bohemian Switzerland is preparing for the return of tourists at the beginning of the spring season. In the Wild Gorge there will again be the opportunity to take part in boat trips on the Kamnitz river, said national park spokesman Tomas Salov on Tuesday of the German Press Agency. The national park with its unique rocky landscape borders directly on Saxon Switzerland on the German side.
The better-known Edmundsklamm is likely to remain closed due to the risk of falling rocks. Salov admitted that some things will have to remain temporary in the coming season after more than 1,000 hectares of forest burned down on the Czech side. But there is also good news: The Prebischtor is already accessible to visitors again on Fridays and weekends via a hiking trail from the direction of Hrensko. The rock formation is considered the landmark of the national park.
The Gabrielensteig, which connects the Prebischtor with the town of Mezni Louka, remains closed due to the risk of falling trees. An alternative route via the so-called Mühlenweg will be signposted by the start of the spring season in April, Salov announced. Negotiations are currently being held with the regional administration in Usti (Aussig) about an increased bus connection to bring tourists from Hrensko directly to the boat trips in the Wild Gorge.
The Czech police are still looking for those who are believed to have caused the forest fire, which involved around 6,000 firefighters from across the country. A large number of people had to be interrogated, said a spokeswoman, according to the CTK agency. In addition, the results of expert reports would be awaited. Based on satellite data, it was determined early on that the initial fire broke out in a valley not far from Hrensko called Malinovy dul (Raspberry Valley). Illegal campfires had caused fires there in the past. In their investigations, the authorities are likely to fall back on mobile phone data.
