Walks along the A2 Vltavská route between Zbraslav and Prague Troja: up to 30 km

• The Vltavská cycle route runs for more than 400 km along or close to the Vltava, the Czech Republic’s longest river, from its source in the Šumava mountains to its confluence with the Labe at Mělník. Much of the route is, however, also suitable for hikers (and several sections are incorporated in walks in this guide).
• One of most well-known sections of this cycle route follows the right bank of the river for 30 km from Vrané nad Vltavou (near Zbraslav) through the center of Prague to Troja (where Prague Zoo and botanical gardens are situated).
• The route is labelled A2 and the access/start points are the train stations at Vrané or Zbraslav (which is 4 km closer to Prague). The whole of this route is perfectly suited also for walkers (and some would say this is a better way to do the trail, particularly the sections though the center of Prague, where cyclists need to use the main roads, whereas pedestrians can keep close to the river).
• A major attraction of this route is the number of potential refreshment stops that are available along the path. In the sections near Zbraslav there are several good open air snack bars directly by the river - note these are usually only open in the summer months. In the sections closer to Prague center, there are several excellent cafe’s close to the riverside path. Some personal favorite places to stop are marked on the detailed mapy.cz attached below (click the show on map button to go to the detailed plan)
• The route is entirely on asphalt paths, so can be managed with a stroller. The route can be started and finished at several points given the extensive public transport options, but if having the time, it is definitely worth trying the whole route from Vrané or Zbraslav and finishing in Troja. Maybe celebrate the arrival in Troja with a stop at the stylish new (from 2023) bistro just inside the gates of Troja Chateau – bistro Karel (map point 11).

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Catch the train from Prague main station to either Vrané (for the longest walk) or Zbraslav for a sllightlz shorter version
• From Vrané station follow the main street for 600m towards the river (initially this is the YELLOW hiking trail – but that trail veers off after 200m)
• At the river join the A2 asphalt cycle path and stay on this riverside path all the way through Prague
• At Troja chateau turn off the cycle track towards the zoo entrance, where a bus can be caught back to the centre of the city