The Guard Patrol

We arrived at our destination and unbuckled the kids from their car seats.
A final check - all doors locked - and we’re ready to set out.

We have a few hundred meters along a logging road ahead of us before stepping onto the narrow path leading to the first lookout. I have to say, I'm very curious. Day is breaking, and the quiet murmur of the forest is only broken now and then by a snapping branch, and by my older daughter, who woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. At the slightest stumble on a root, she cries out angrily. I explain to her that we are in the woods and have to be quiet. She seems to get it, but before Ema actually calms down, the whole scene repeats four more times.

We arrive at the first lookout. If I studied the guide correctly, it should be the Fox. At first, it doesn't quite look like it to me, but then I see it. Its head is turned toward the courtyard of the lookout, you can sit comfortably on its back, and for thrill-seekers, there's a fantastic adrenaline challenge to walk along the fox's tail above the drop. From here, several climbing routes leading to the fox are also visible. After a moment of convincing them that everything is fine, I took the girls to the other end of the fox, directly over the abyss. Both holding their breath, fingers hooked into the netting of the railing, watching the drop beneath us and the first rays of sun lighting up the horizon. We wait for the sun to rise even higher. Meanwhile, we have breakfast on the back of the fox, and I quickly take a few photos from the adjacent viewing walkways. The whole site has been above Rokytnice for a few years, so the shiny new wood has turned into darker shades that fit wonderfully into the surrounding nature.

I set off toward the next lookout with just my younger daughter, leaving my wife and older girl to finish their tea. The Bear, standing majestically atop a rock, commands real respect, even if it is made of wood. We climbed the steep staircase built into its hind leg and looked back at the stragglers still sipping tea on the Fox's back, soaking in the morning rays. Observing without being observed. We wave to see if they’ll spot us. Keeping quiet so as not to disturb the peace, we watch the latecomers, take in the bird’s-eye view of Rokytnice, and glance ahead at our next stop - The Sheep. Then we head back down the stairs. Shelter under the Bear’s belly gives us a chance to sit down and listen to water dripping from the canopy, a reminder of last night’s heavy rain. Whenever the wind sways the treetops, a shower of heavy drops comes cascading down. Safe under the wooden bear, we don't mind one bit. We sit and wait until the rest of our party finishes their tea and catches up with us.

The path keeps winding along the edge of the hill, with resting spots featuring benches and trash bins along the way, so thankfully, the forest stays nice and clean. Our next stop is The Sheep, which the girls are looking forward to most since this lookout is designed for small children. The Little Sheep sits in the woods, sized just right to double as a climbing frame. On the info board, there’s a task for a mini game: Find the magic elf and ring the sheep's bell. Behind a tree stump, we finally discover the elf and take a wooden wedge and a rope from its box. We place them into the mechanism on the sheep's neck and ring the bell. Afterwards, the girls play on the swing for a bit and assemble a large wooden puzzle. We sip our tea, making sure they don't wander off too far, while I go to return the game props back into the elf’s box. All around us are plenty of blueberries, leaving the girls with stained purple lips.

We carry on along the path, passing subsequent resting spots with benches without stopping. Here and there we read a story on the info boards, admire an interesting forest feature where the trail negotiates a bigger incline, and pitter-patter across the wooden boardwalks.

The wind has already blown away the last remnants of the morning mist as we slowly approach the apex of the trail. Perched wide-legged on a rock known locally as K5 stands The Miner, the final figure from Rokytnice's coat of arms that served as inspiration for these lookout sculptures. After a bit of convincing that nothing bad will happen if we behave properly, we step onto its outstretched leg over the gap between the rocks. I have to say, it’s a powerful experience. Even I have to work hard to hide my awe for the sheer depth beneath us. We walk up the leg onto the platform. Higher up, only I dare to go. I sit down, watch the sun-drenched, colorful valley of Rokytnice gradually come to life, and sip my tea. Zipping my jacket tighter around my neck, I step down a bit to join the rest of the crew and tell the girls stories about Krakonoš.

Once we’ve taken it all in, we step down from The Miner and head back along the paths. On our way, we pass a few early-morning runners, a hunter, and a man searching for a ring he lost somewhere out here yesterday. We wish him good luck and pick up our pace toward the car. It’s starting to get quite busy around here, and it would be a shame to ruin this peaceful yet thrilling morning experience.

Selected projects