Itinerary

• Day 1
  Arrival in Prague

  After your arrival to Prague, the city of thousand spires, make your way to the hotel (voucher provided) and enjoy sightseeing around this beautiful town. The Charles Bridge, the Old Town square and Prague Castle, the largest castle compound in Europe, are great places to visit.

  Overnight in Prague.

• Day 2
  Prague - Svaty Jan pod Skalou - Karlstejn Castle (12 km / 7.5 miles, elevation gain 420 m)

  After breakfast in your Prague hotel meet our representative/guide who will give you a thorough welcome briefing with a comprehensive package of all tour materials and drive you to the trailhead outside of Prague. You will start your hike in Svaty Jan pod Skalou, one of the most picturesque villages in the Bohemian Karst National Reserve, with a majestic rocky outcrop above giving a rewarding view. Then follow the trail through beautiful forested rolling hills as far as the Gothic castle of Karlstejn, founded in 1348 by Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV to guard the crown jewels. This castle is well worth a visit before you check into your hotel located at the foot of the castle hill.

  Overnight in Karlstejn.

• Day 3
  Karlstejn - Orlik - Zvikov Castle (20 km / 12 miles, elevation gain 550 m)

  Morning car transfer takes you to Orlik Castle, one of the few castles in private hands today, belonging to the Czech noble family of Schwarzenberg. This stunning lakeside castle is a must-see before you start on your hike. Then you will skim the high banks of the Vltava River walking under Zdakovsky Bridge, the longest single-span bridge in the world at the time of its construction. You will continue along a well-marked trail through woods, in several places offering beautiful views over the river. Your destination is the 13th century Zvikov Castle known as “the king of Bohemian castles” for its majestic appearance, perched on a rocky hill overlooking the confluence of the Otava and Vltava rivers. Make sure to explore this romantic site, perhaps as an evening walk from your hotel after dinner.

  Overnight in Zvikovske Podhradi.

• Day 4
  Zvikov - Pisek (23 km / 14 miles, elevation gain 320 m)

  Today you have the opportunity to walk inn to inn. Although this is the longest walk of your tour, the terrain is not difficult, with only a few short steep ascents and descents. The walk along the wooded high bank of the Otava River offers at times beautiful views of the meandering river and the surrounding countryside with protected nature areas, a habitat of the largest European owl. The riverside path will finally bring you to Písek, passing its 13th century stone bridge, the oldest in the country (it is older than the Charles Bridge in Prague and likewise lined with statues). The historic center of Pisek with its royal castle, museum, city hall, and churches is worth exploring as well.

  Overnight in Pisek.

• Day 5
  Pisek - Stadlec - Tabor (15 km / 9 miles, elevation gain 320 m)

  Morning car transfer brings you to Stadlecky Bridge, the only 19th century chain bridge preserved in the country, relocated here from the Vltava River before the Orlik dam construction. From there start walking along the romantic valley of the Luznice River crossing it to climb the only hill of the day towards the famous pilgrimage church and monastery of Klokoty, an early Baroque jewel designed by one of the most talented Czech architects of the time, Jan Blazej Santini. The beautiful line of huge linden trees and stations of the cross will then lead you to the center of the Gothic city center of Tabor, the cradle of the very first Protestant movement, the Hussites.

  Overnight in Tabor.

• Day 6
  Tabor - Bechyne - Tyn - Hluboka (18 km / 12 miles, elevation gain 220 m)

  In the morning you will board the first electric train in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire dating back to 1903, which will take you to Bechyne. From this beautiful historic town walk through a natural protected area crossing a creek multiple times in a romantic steep-sided canyon. Arrive to the lovely town of Tyn at the Vltava River, from where you will get a car transfer to Hluboka Chateau with its extensive romantic park. The Schwarzenberg noble family, who owned the estate until 1945, modeled this 19th century English style park and Gothic-revival chateau after the English royal castle of Windsor. Today, this ornate chateau is state-owned, and offers guided tours through its beautifully decorated interior chambers with amazing wood carvings.

  Overnight in Hluboka.

• Day 7
  Hluboka - Zlata Koruna - Klet - Cesky Krumlov (16 km / 10 miles, elevation gain 630 m)

  After a transfer to the 13th century Zlata Koruna monastery at the Vltava River bank, start hiking uphill to the highest peak of the Blansky Forest – Klet Mountain (1,084 m / 3,556 ft) rewarding you with a restaurant, lookout tower and astronomical observatory on its top. After a well-deserved rest and refreshments you will make the easy downhill walk to Cesky Krumlov.

  Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

• Day 8
  Cesky Krumlov

  Enjoy the magical town of Cesky Krumlov which has an unparalleled UNESCO enlisted medieval town center dominated by an enormous castle with a tower overlooking the town with virtually intact ensemble of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque structures including the oldest working Baroque theatre in Europe.