Scenic walks along the Berounka and Střela rivers from Liblín: 6 km to 16 km

The Berounka river has many scenic sections which are accessible for hikers. Many of those sections lie within the Protected Landscape Areas of Křivoklátsko and Český kras and are popular walking routes. However, many attractive walking routes along the river lie outside the PLA’s, including some fine sections in the north Plzeň district.
The following routes start in the village of Liblín, situated on the banks of the Berounka, close to the confluence of the Střela and Berounka rivers. There is a large (inaccessible) Baroque chateau that dominates the village (which actually dates back to the 12th century), but the main attractions are the walks beside and above the two rivers.
The most scenic walk follows the footpath for 2 km high above the Berounka to reach the romantic ruins of Libštejn castle. The castle was built in the mid 14th century and its main tower is the dominant feature of the extensive but isolated ruins (they would not be out of place in a Vampire movie – see the first picture below). The castle was finally abandoned in the 17th century after being sacked during the 30 Years War.
There is no unobstructed view of the meandering river from the footpath or the castle, so to get a good view, it is well worth taking the short diversion up the main road to visit the spectacular viewpoint, called Havel’s Rock (map point 4 below).
It is probably best to return from Libštejn castle to Liblín along the outbound path, rather than try to create a circulate route. So, to create a longer walk after returning to Liblín, take the footpath which starts on the opposite of the Berounka and leads to the confluence with the Střela and then continues beside the smaller river, heading towards the historic monastery town of Plasy.
It is a 15 km (one way) walk to reach Plasy from Liblín along the Střela. A shorter option is just to walk as far the village of Dolní Hradiště, just over 4 km from Liblín. On the promontory above the Střela, near to Dolní Hradiště is the site of a large Iron Age (Celtic) hillfort, which was also occupied during the Slavic period.
None of the paths are difficult (although the path to Libštejn castle is quite narrow) with just a couple of steeper sections to access the castle ruins. These are good walks in winter – if the paths are snow free – as the rivers can be seen more easily when the surrounding trees are without leaves. The total route has around 350m of height to ascend-descend, most of which is on the route to-from Libštejn castle. There are a couple of places in Liblín for refreshments after the walk.

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

Liblín village can be reached by bus from Plzeň or the town of Radnice. For drivers, there are parking spots in front of the chateau
For the walk to Libštejn castle, from the chateau take the RED trail through the small park area and then uphill through an old avenue of tree
After a short section on the road, the RED trail continues through the forest above the Berounka river for 1.8 km to reach the castle ruins
Return back the same route. To visit the (highly recommended) Havel’s Rock viewpoint, at the signpost advertising Libštejn castle beside the main road (map point 2), walk up the road for 400m and then take to wide footpath to the right into the forest. This leads after 150m to the viewpoint
For the walk along the Střela river, cross the Berounka using road bridge below Liblín
Immediately after crossing the river, turn left to follow the GREEN trail. Continue as far as desired, but if wanting to visit the site of the Celtic hillfort, continue for 4 km until just before the village center of Dolní Hradiště, there is a footpath to the right which leads the hillfort site after 400m
Return back along the same path to Liblín