*On the edge of Brdy: a traverse of Ostrý peak (539m) starting from Hořovice – 14 km to 20 km*
- There are several peaks named Ostrý in the Czech Republic. The name translates as ‘sharp’, which usually means there is a nice ridge to hike up on at least one of its flanks. The peak named Ostrý on the edge of the Brdy highlands, just to the south of Hořovice town, might not be very tall (it is just 539m and the highest peaks in Brdy are over 800m) but there is a very nice trail through lovely mixed woodland and then up its steep-sided eastern ridge. It is less than a 150m ascent on a good footpath and is particularly pretty in autumn.
- The summit area of Ostrý was fortified with a rampart system, probably during the 13th century: there was presumably also a wooden fortress at that time, all traces of which have disappeared. However, it is also possible the fortifications are prehistoric and somehow connected with the important Bronze Age hill fort on the neighboring peak of Plešivec.
- The closest public transport access points to the Ostrý trail are the nearby villages of Felbabka and Rpety (which have regional bus connections), but a better option for a nice medium length length circular tour is to start from the town of Hořovice, which has a mainline train station. Hořovice is also worth a visit in its own right, particularly to see its fine 18th century chateau and adjoining park.
- If travelling by train, the station is 1 km from the center of town, but for drivers there are various paid parking areas close to the center. On the main square is a fine Baroque church and intriguing neo-Renaissance town hall.
- There are a couple of circular route options. The one shown in the map below is around 20 km (18 km if starting from the center of town) and follows marked trails all the way. It includes a short detour to see the chateau. It is possible to save 3 km or so by taking the more direct side road from Podluhy village back to Hořovice (as noted in the directions below). None of the paths (a mix of asphalt roads and forest footpaths) are difficult, although the ascent to Ostrý peak is quite steep in places (and might be tricky in icy/snowy conditions). The full route has approximately 400m of height to ascend/descend over the 20 km circuit.
- Although there are a couple of pubs in the villages on the route, the best options for refreshment are after (or before) the walk, in Hořovice. There is an excellent café-bistro in the chateau (accessed via the park), or for something more substantial try the sylish Na Krétě restaurant (a recommendation from Lukáš Hejlík) which serves modern Czech cuisine (map point 5).
Note: click ‘Show on map’ above to go to a full screen version directly on the mapy.cz site. This can be used for online navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file
Directions
- Starting at the Hořovice train station, follow the BLUE trail for 1 km to reach the main square, where the Baroque church and town hall are located. From there, join the RED trail which leads to the chateau area in 600m
- From the chateau, continue on the RED trail for 5.3 km to reach the Nad Bělidlem junction. There, turn sharply right onto the YELLOW trail which climbs the ridge of Ostrý
- Follow the YELLOW trail over the peak and continue on to the Felbabka junction, reached in 3.3 km
- From Felbabka, take the BLUE trail heading in the direction of Podluhy, which is reached in 2.6 km
- In Podluhy, if wanting the direct (short cut) route back to Hořovice, leave the marked trail and follow the public road northwards – it is signposted Hořovice. There is an option to divert from this road into the Dražovka forest park just to the south of town. There is a a network of trails in the forest that are worth exploring
- If continuing on the full circuit, from Podluhy, stay on the BLUE trail for a further 1.7 km to reach the U Krejcárků junction. There, turn right onto the GREEN trail which leads back to Hořovice after 4 km
