Josefovské Údolí Valley and Býčí Skála 2026: nature trail and freely accessible Jáchymka and Kostelík caves

Josefovské údolí valley, between Adamov and Křtiny, is a quieter, less touristy alternative to the heart of the Moravian Karst. A five-kilometre nature trail with nine information panels runs from Adamov all the way to Býčí Skála, passing right through the freely accessible Jáchymka cave — a short distance away lies the smaller Kostelík cave, both free of charge and requiring no booking. The Býčí Skála cave itself is normally closed to the public and only opens on three summer weekends in June (13–14, 20–21 and 27–28 June 2026); tours last 60–90 minutes, and booking is recommended from 1 May 2026.

QUICK LINKS 🥾 Nature trail from Adamov · 🕳️ Jáchymka and Kostelík for free · 🔒 Býčí Skála and open days · ❓ FAQ

While the crowds head for the Macocha Abyss, Josefovské údolí valley tends to attract locals and those who’ve already explored the region. That’s both a shame and an advantage — it means a peaceful walk through a romantic valley, complete with its own cave you can enter for free, with no queue and no ticket required.

Nature trail from Adamov

The nature trail through Josefovské údolí valley runs for 5 kilometres from Adamov to Býčí Skála, following the Jedovnický stream. Along the way you’ll find nine information panels covering the geology, plants and wildlife of this stretch of the Moravian Karst. The route is easy-going and makes for a relaxed half-day walk.

Jáchymka and Kostelík — freely accessible caves

Right on the nature trail lies the Jáchymka cave — a small, freely accessible cave that the trail literally passes through, so you can add a bit of underground adventure to your walk without paying a penny. A short distance away is Kostelík, a slightly smaller walk-through cave of the same type. Both can be visited as part of a single outing and are open all year round with no need to book.

Bring a torch and sturdy footwear — unlike the show caves, there are no paths or lighting here.

Býčí Skála and open days

The Býčí Skála cave is otherwise closed to the public — its entrance is sealed off with an iron gate. The exception is the open days, which in 2026 fall on three June weekends: 13–14 June, 20–21 June and 27–28 June, daily from 9am to 4pm, whatever the weather. Tours last 60 to 90 minutes; sturdy footwear and warm clothing are recommended, as it’s very humid inside with temperatures around 9°C, and while the paths are maintained, they’re not paved like those in the show caves.

It’s advisable to book tickets in advance, with bookings usually opening from 1 May of the given year. It’s worth keeping an eye on the current dates at byciskala.cz or moravskykras.eu, as they can vary from year to year.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay to enter Jáchymka or Kostelík? No, both caves are freely accessible and free of charge all year round.

When can I visit Býčí Skála? Only during the open days — in 2026, on three June weekends. Outside these dates, the cave is closed.

Do I need a torch for Jáchymka and Kostelík? Yes, we recommend bringing your own light source and sturdy footwear, as these caves aren’t fitted out like the commercial show caves.

Can this be combined into one trip? Yes — the nature trail from Adamov passes through Jáchymka and continues on to Býčí Skála, making it the ideal combination for a single half-day outing.

Part of the series A Week in the Moravian Karst: a complete 7-day itinerary. Sources: Turistika.cz – Josefovské údolí nature trail, Kudy z nudy – Býčí Skála open days, AOPK ČR (Czech Nature Conservation Agency). The dates of the open days change from year to year — check the official website for the current dates before setting off.