An 7 km hike to the Hvíždinec viewpoint from Dobřichovice chateau

• Dobřichovice is a small town with a long history and a fine Renaissance chateau located on an attractive stretch of the Berounka river, just 35 minutes by train from Prague. It is a good starting point for walks in the attractive hills and forests of the Hřebeny nature area. Dobřichovice can be reached quickly by frequent trains from Prague main station (a 35 minute journey). There are no large parking areas in the town but there are a few free spaces opposite the swimming pool, just the west of the castle.
• An ideal way to get a perspective of the area is to hike up to the viewpoint Hvíždinec, located in the Hřebeny hills 3km to the south of the town. The viewpoint offers a great view of the Berounka valley. From the south bank of the river it is a steady climb of 260m on a good forest footpath to the viewpoint. The mixed forests of Hřebeny are some of the most attractive in central Bohemia, and definitely worth exploring. For longer routes in the same area of hills see Circular tours from Všenory. These routes can also be started from Dobřichovice. The (3 km) short walk around Dobřichovice town can be combined with either of these longer hikes.
• The flood plain of the Berounka river, in the area around today’s town of Dobřichovice, has been occupied for over 4000 years. Stone Age and Bronze Age relics have been unearthed from the fertile ground surrounding the town and the neighboring village of Karlík. The site gained strategic importance in the first millennium when, it is believed, the town was founded by the Slavic family of Dobřich. A fortress was built to protect a ford over the Berounka.
• 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. There is a restaurant, the Zámecký had, located in the main building.
• Apart from the chateau restaurant, other excellent options for refreshments in town include the highly regarded Panská Zahrada (A Lukáš Hejlík recommendation) 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).

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Directions

• Start the walk either at the Dobřichovice railway station (there are regular trains there from Prague) or at the small parking area opposite the swimming pool (marked as the end point on the map below)
• If starting on the castle side of the river, cross the Berounka via the pedestrian footbridge, following the GREEN trail until just over the bridge
• After crossing the bridge, turn right onto Všenorská street and after 100m join the BLUE hiking trail which turns down Svážná street
• If starting at the railway station, immediately join the BLUE trail and head in the direction of Hvíždinec
• The viewpoint is reached after 3 km of easy climbing, mostly on a forest track
• Return back to Dobřichovice on the same path