A long walk in the Brdy hills starting in the historical village of Dobřív, near Rokycany – 23 km

Brdy is best enjoyed by patient walkers. Most walks in these conifer-forested hills involve long stretches without any real change in scenery on former military tracks that run in straight lines across the nature reserve. But do not be put off. There are some magical places and viewpoints waiting to be discovered in the dark forests. They just take a bit of time to get to.
The forests of Brdy are particularly scenic and tranquil in wintertime. On a weekday, it is possible to walk for hours without meeting a single soul. In the higher hills (above 600m or so) there is often snow cover most of the winter. The paths can be icy at times, but none are particularly steep and when the snow is deep enough there will be occasional cross county ski tracks.
A good starting point for a long walk in the western segment of Brdy is the historical village of Dobřív, close to Rokycany and quickly reached from the D5 highway. Dobřív has been a center for iron production since at least the 14th century and the famous hammer mill is a unique example of the region’s metallurgical past. The mill now houses an interesting industrial museum, open from April to October. Dobřív is a protected heritage zone, not just because of the mill, but also for many fine examples of timbered folk architecture.
The suggested circular route from Dobřív climbs gently into the Brdy hills and then returns back along the Klabava river, which has it source in the Brdy hills and powers the Dobřív hammer mill. Along the way, the trail visits the fine Třítrubecká viewpoint, with its ‘sea’ of ice shattered boulders, and then passes the unusual Tři Trubky hunting lodge built at the end of the 19th century by the Colloredo-Mansfeld family (and now fully reconstructed). As of 2023, the lodge has been turned in a House of Nature and now houses a well done Brdy visitor center (although most of the information is exclusively in Czech).
The final section of the route, along the attractive Klabava valley, passes through a section of the Trhoň nature reserve, known for its picturesque natural beech groves. Also on this final stretch of the trail is the site of the Vimberk fortress, with its steep rampart ditches designed to protect the early medieval wooden castle (which has now completely disappeared).
None of the paths on the 22.2 km circuit are steep and the route is manageable in all seasons. There is 300m of height to ascend-descend. There are couple of good places for refreshment in Dobřív, including the Stará Hospoda (a rare timbered coaching inn dating from the 18th century). This is situated next to the picturesque 17th century stone ‘Swedish’ bridge (the name apparently derives from the transportation of cannonballs manufactured in the Dobřív hammer mill for the Swedish army during the 30 Years War).

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Directions

Start the walk in the center of the village of Dobřív. There is a free parking area next to the Hamrovka Pension and restaurant. Regular buses are available to Dobřív from Rokycany
Take the YELLOW hiking trail in the direction of Pod Dubinou
The trail follows good forest tracks into the hills to reach the Josefka junction in 7.7 km. Here turn left, staying on the YELLOW trail in the direction of Tři Trubky zámeček
After 3.3 km reach the Třítrubecká vyhl. signpost. Here turn left and take the 200m detour to the viewpoint (and sea of boulders), returning back to the signpost after visiting the viewpoint
From the Třítrubecká vyhl.signpost continue on the YELLOW trail to pass the hunting lodge after 500m
On reaching the public road, just after the hunting ledge, turn left onto the BLUE hiking trail and continue down the road which follows the Klabava river into the village of Strašice
A cycle path junction is reached in Strašice village after 3.9 km on the road. Here, leave the BLUE trail which turns right. Instead, carry straight on for 1.3 km to reach the main road
Cross the main road and immediately rejoin the BLUE hiking trail which follows a forest track
After 1 km pass the rampart walls of the Vimberk fortress and continue on the BLUE trail beside the river. This is now a section of the Trhoň nature reserve
After 3.1 km reach the hammer mill beside the village pond
Continue on the BLUE trail beside the mill canal, crossing old stone bridge and passing the Stará Hospoda coaching inn to return back to the center of the village in 200m