A 7 km (extendable) stroll in the Hřebeny forests after a visit to Chateau Dobříš

• Zámek Dobříš, located 40 km to the south of Prague, is one of the most colourful and attractive chateaux in Bohemia, and well worth a visit. This unusual rococo style Chateau has been by owned the House of Colloredo-Mansfeld since the mid 18th century, and is open for guided tours. A part of the chateau has been converted into a boutique 4 star hotel, and there is a restaurant and coffee house for refreshments.
• The chateau also has a well-maintained French style garden which can be visited separately (payment required) and a large English park, which is open to the public. There are paid parking spots near the chateau.
• After visiting the chateau and/or the parks, an easy circular walk through Dobříš town (with has a number of baroque styled buildings) leads into the the Hřebeny protected nature area and passes the intriguing moated ramparts of Tvrziště Dvorce (which possibly date from the early Middle Ages – Přemyslid period – but may be much older).
• Walkers preferring a more strenuous route can continue from Tvrziště Dvorce further into the forests, and by following the GREEN hiking trail can return to Dobříš after completing a 13km circuit. On the shorter 7 km route, only 70m of height is gained/lost (on the 13 km circuit 190m is gained/lost).
• The proposed short route returns to the chateau along a quiet road, passing the interesting Krmelec Vlaška restaurant on the way. Various other refreshment options are available near the chateau.
• Note, for longer circuits (12 km to 28 km) in the Hřebeny forests, which also start from Dobříš, take a look at the following page.

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

• Start at the square in front of the chateau. If driving, there are various (normally paid) parking options close to the chateau. There are also regular public transport (train and bus) options from Prague
• From the square, take the GREEN hiking trail in the direction of U Papeže. This small lake is reached after 1.2km (there are often swans and ducks available for photogenic pictures…)
• From U Papeže, continue up the road still following the GREEN trail to reach the signpost of Nad Větrníkem after 1.1km
• From Nad Větrníkem continue on the GREEN trail in the direction of Obora, which is reached after 1.4km. Just off the trail, the moated ramparts of the ancient fort of Tvrziště Dvorce are visible
• From the Obora signpost, if completing the short circuit, leave the GREEN trail and turn left on the small road which leads directly back to Dobříš town and the Papež lake after 1.7km. The route passes the interesting restaurant of Krmelec Vlaška on the way. From the U Papeže signpost return back to chateau on the outbound GREEN trail
• If wanting the longer (13km in total) circuit, stay on the GREEN trail at Obora, and follow this trail for 9.3km, passing below the hill of Kazatelna before returning to Dobříš centre (always following the GREEN trail)