*Circuits around the Český kras village, Vonoklasy (with optional start in Dobřichovice): 8 km to 16 km*

• Vonoklasy is an historic village, located some 20 km southwest of Prague, in the limestone hills that line the right bank of the Berounka river. These hills form the core of the Český kras protected landscape area. Vonoklasy was probably first established as a village in the early medieval (Slavic) period, but the surrounding landscape has been occupied for many millennia. The first farmers who arrived in Bohemia some 7000 years ago populated these hills.
• There are a surprisingly large number of hiking trails that converge on Vonoklasy (as demonstrated in the first picture below). The E10 European long distance hiking trail also passes through the village. In recent years, a new circuit around the Vonoklasy has been created, which visits some popular viewpoints in the surrounding hills. It is marked on the map as a nature trail, but currently does not have classic nature trail signage – apart from a couple of information boards (in Czech only) in the center of the village.
• The basic circuit around the village is just over 8 km long (there are a couple of short cuts possible to reduce this if desired), with nearly 300m of height to ascend/descend. The route is mostly on meadow or forest footpaths. There are a couple of steepish sections, which can be a bit slippery after wet weather. Otherwise, it is not a difficult route and it is a good walk in all seasons.
• Vonoklasy can be reached by bus from Černošice (which has a mainline train station, with regular connections to Prague). For those driving, there are usually parking spaces along the main street. For refreshments after the walk, try the newly refurbished village pub, Na Vyhlídce (note that it is usually only open throughout the day at weekends).
• For those with the time for a longer walk, consider starting and finishing the circuit in Dobřichovice, which is quickly reached by frequent train from Prague. This popular commuter town is located on a pretty stretch of the Berounka river, boasts a fine Renaissance chateau and has some excellent restaurants and cafes. This is the route shown in the map below.
• The extended version, starting and finishing at Dobřichovice train station, is a little over 16 km long, with some 360m of height to ascend/descend. There are a number of excellent options for refreshments in Dobřichovice town, including the excellent Panská Zahrada restaurant (in the new hotel complex just west of the chateau) , the Italian delicatessen/wine bar La Fontana (which serves good coffee and sandwiches) and the attractive Café Černý Dorty (on the 5 května street).
• In the 13th century, the village of Dobřichovice, the fortress and surrounding land was given to the recently founded Order of Crusaders of the Red Star. This Military Order was created in the mid 13th century in connection with the foundation of a Prague hospital by St Agnes, daughter of the King of Bohemia Ottokar I. This was the only male Order ever to be founded by a woman, and the only Order founded in Bohemia.
• Over the centuries, the fortress on the Berounka was transformed several times. It was destroyed during the Hussite Wars of the 15th century, then rebuilt in a Renaissance style in the 16th century by Grand Master Hynek Berka of Dubé. In 1631, the castle was burnt by the Swedes during the 30 Years war, rebuilt and then destroyed by another fire in 1779. The final reconstruction to its current late Baroque form occurred in the late 18th century. Dobřichovice castle is still owned by the Order of Crusaders of the Red Star and is used for cultural events.

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

• If starting (and finishing) in Vonoklasy, the 8 km circuit around the village follows the YELLOW trail markers. It is best done anticlockwise as this takes the steepest sections in ascent
• If starting in Dobřichovice, join the GREEN trail at the station, heading towards Vonoklasy. After 4 km join with the YELLOW trail at the Krásná stráň – sedlo junction and from there follow the circuit anticlockwise
• Return back to Dobřichovice on the outbound route (or catch the bus from Vonoklasy centre back to Černošice, saving the 4 km return walk)