Crag features

Traditional sandstone area in Northern Bohemia, belonging amongst the numerous Elbtal sandstone areas. In comparison with other sandstone areas, Ostrov is only "a small local crag" (it has still over 3800 routes!), suitable mainly for adventurous sandstone beginners and intermediate climbers. The rock belongs to the hardest types sandstone in the CZ and is very similar to gritstone in character.

Most of the climbing is on sandstone towers in the valley covered by rocks on all sides. Ostrov is traditional area: most routes are equipped with ringbolts in crux sections (usually between 1 to 4 per route), abseil stations, and logbooks. Most towers are up to 30m tall.

Ostrov is also a great high-lining venue. There are many sandstone areas close by (Tisa, Rajec, Sneznik, Elbtal, or Bielatal over in Germany), and a lot of unaccounted bouldering in the forest around.

Remember the most important ethics on Czech sandstone: No climbing on wet rock, no metal gear (excluding placed protection), no chalk. 

Accommodation: In the valley is an excellent and cheap Autocamp "Pod Cisarem" which has a great pub. Expect great Czech lager, Radler, and big portions of traditional Czech food (both meat and veggie/vegan options). There is also a hotel and a few huts in the village. Wild camping is forbidden. 

Guidebook: There is now a brand new guidebook both in Czech and in German/English (Ostrov Kletterführer from Geoquest). Both should be for sale in the little shop in the campsite. If you do not want the book, use the Czech website/app Skalni oblasti.

Grades: The area uses its specific "Saxony sandstone grading" which are not on UKC. The grades here have been converted to the UIAA; the original Saxony grade is the roman number in the route name.