Along the Botič stream from Hostivař to Průhonice: an easy 9 – 10 km walk

• Botič is the longest and most scenic stream flowing through Prague. Its sparkling waters pass through meadows and fields on the outskirts of the city, creating picturesque meanders that would not seem out of place in a Šumava valley. The stream even features in the Czech national anthem!
• The stream was used creatively in the late 19th century by Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva-Tarouca when developing the extraordinary landscaped park behind his neo-Renaissance chateau at Průhonice. Today, the nicest walk along Botič stream is the 9km stretch from Hostivař, in the south east corner of the city, through to Průhonice.
• Hostivař reservoir is the largest lake in Prague. It is allowed to swim in the lake, and the beach/sports area on the south side of the lake is a popular summer destination. The trail around the northern side of the lake is equally popular with walkers and joggers, but it remains a peaceful spot even on busy weekends. In winter, the lake can freeze and it then becomes a haven for skaters and even cross country skiers after fresh snow.
• At the start of the walk, the trail passes beneath an early Iron Age (Bylany culture) hillfort. There is an option to climb up and visit this 7ha fortified site, dating from around 700 BC.
• Hostivař can be reached by public transport several ways, but the suggested route starts at the bus stop of Selská (regular buses from Chodov or Opatov metro stations) and follows a nature trail around the lake before continuing along the Botič stream, passing the dendrological gardens near Průhonice (these attractive research gardens are normally open for visits from April to October). The route ends in Průhonice town centre (with options to extend the walk by visiting Průhonice park – see below) . There are regular bus connections from Průhonice back to Opatov metro station.
• Průhonice park is a remarkable 250ha landscaped area situated some 15 km southeast of Prague. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a range of lovely walks through its varied terrain of mixed woodland, lakes and organized gardens. In the background is a fairytale Neo-Renaissance chateau, constructed in the late 19th century, on the site of a medieval Gothic fortress, by the parks’ creator – Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva-Tarouca. See the separate page for a more detailed discussions of the walking options in Průhonice park.
• For refreshments on the walk there is a snack bar just before leaving the Hostivař lake and several good restraurants in Průhonice. There are no refreshment options inside the park, but there is an excellent cafe in the chateau, and various restaurants a short walk from the entrance, including the stylish Paloma Průhonice and the popular terrace at Pizzeria Grosetto. However, probably the nicest all round choice in town is the Babiččina zahrada, a Hejlík recommendation, which is on a residential street a few hundred meters from the chateau entrance.

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

• Start the walk from the bus stop of Selská in Hostivař district (there are regular buses to this stop from Chodov or Opatov metro stations)
• Follow the nature trail (green diagonal stripe markings) along K Jezeru street for 300m and then branch left on a side road that leads through the forest, down hill to reach after 300m the hiking signpost Keltské hradiště
• At the signpost there is the option to detour to visit the Iron age hillfort area (now an attractive park area) by taking the RED trail uphill for 400m. Return back to the Keltské hradiště signpost after the detour
• From the Keltské hradiště signpost walk towards the lake – the dam is reached in 100m
• At the dam, continue on the RED trail following the north side of the lake in the direction of Průhonice
• The lakeside trail is 2.2 km long and leaves the reservoir area on reaching the Petrovice signpost
• From Petrovice, continue on the RED trail which soon tracks alongside the Botič stream
• The route passes through the village of Křeslice (2.4 km from Petrovice) and then past the western edge of the dendrological gardens (note – the main entrance to these gardens cannot be accessed directly from the trail and requires a significant detour to reach)
• The trail passes under the D1 highway and reaches the Průhonice hiking signpost (3.6 km from Křeslice) at the main road.
• The (YELLOW-RED) hiking trails turn right at this point, but to reach the main square, bus stops and entrance to the chateau-park, turn left and walk 300m up the main street.