Czech trails and the colored markers

The Czech Republic has probably the densest network of marked hiking trails anywhere in the world…and the trails are generally exceptionally well-marked. The massive network of tourist trails in the Czech countryside (and even in many towns) uses a special system of colored markers (painted onto trees, rocks, buildings and fences) every few hundred meters and usually at all points where you could potentially take the wrong path. The Czech marker system has been ‘exported’ to many other countries and is becoming quite common, particularly in Central Europe.

Czech hiking trail marks have a horizontal colored stripe in the middle, sandwiched between two horizontal white stripes (the following picture shows a BLUE trail) . All these marks are maintained and updated by large group of dedicated volunteers countrywide. Generally, RED markers indicate a main or summit trail, while BLUE trail markers indicate a secondary route. YELLOW and GREEN marker are usually used for shorter or connecting routes. RED and BLUE routes tend to run from point A to point B, so most circular walks will usually involve a combination of different colored trails.

In addition to the Czech hiking trail routes, there is an increasing number of marked nature or educational trails (often with information boards along the route). These are usually marked with a green diagonal stripe, sandwiched between two diagonal white stripes. The nature trail markers are usually smaller than the main hiking trail marks.

Finally, there are also usually signposts at key junctions where different colored trails intersect, often giving distances to go for at least a couple of locations on that particular trail. It is therefore almost impossible to get lost on a Czech walk, if you keep alert, spot where the trail changes direction, and have a good map to consult if you are on a complex route with multiple changes of trail.

Maps and apps

There are several brands of map that show all the hiking trails in the Czech Republic. I usually carry one of the 1:40 000 maps published by freytag & berndt, but there are other good maps widely available in bookshops and on-line. One small issue with the otherwise fabulous Czech trail marking system, is that over a period of years trail colours can be changed, and occasionally the trail marks are removed completely or the path routing changed somewhat. So, if you use an old map it can sometimes be out of date and cause problems.

Partly for that reason, and also because of the GPS tracking system, I have started in the last few years using a smartphone map application to consult when I need confirmation I am heading in the right direction during my walks. The one I use, and have found very reliable, is the free mapy.cz application. It is excellent, not only at keeping me on the right colored trail, but if I want to divert off a marked route, the network of unmarked trails in these maps seems very accurate, and combined with the GPS function and direction arrows on the map, I rarely take a wrong turn. Occasionally, it takes a while to load in an area where the mobile signal is weak, but otherwise I have I found the application very helpful while on a walk.

The embedded maps in the on the walk pages in this guide

I now use the mapy.cz application to plan all my walks before I set off, using the outdoor map setting (which shows the colored hiking trails)

With appropriate use of way points I can mark exactly the path I want to follow, and the clickable icons for points of interest, refreshment spots, and even public transport options, make planning a walk extremely easy. The app calculates distance, height gained/lost, provides detailed directions if needed and even has a current weather function.

All the walks in the guide have an embedded map taken from a shared folder on mapy.cz. I have downloaded the maps showing the route tracing in red, as I felt this gives the best visualization of the whole route. However, if you click on the “show on map” box (in the bottom left corner) it will take you into the shared folder where you will see the detailed plan for the route. This plan shows all the way markers I have used, usually at key junctions as well as notable landmarks or refreshment spots.

Options for how to use the embedded maps and directions on each walk page

Most of the walks in the guide change trail several times, so you will need a map to check you are on the right path from time to time. One option is simply to print the map and directions from this site (or from the mapy.cz folder). Printing the map in landscape format will probably be best.

You could also take one of the published paper maps for the region together with a copy of the directions from myczechwalks, or just consult the website when needed on the walk (assuming there is a reasonable mobile signal on your walk – this can be patchy, particularly in mountainous areas).

Personally, I would give the mapy.cz smartphone application a try, as this should enable you to track exactly where you are, against the proposed route. To do this you would need to download the app (it is free). You could then register on the site and save the route into your own maps file, or even open the route map directly from the myczechwalks site at the beginning of the walk. You are likely to have to enable “location access” (usually a target icon in the top right corner of the screen) to use this function.

Happy trail hunting!

Paul Antrobus