Koněprusy limestone caves and the Kotýz hill fort – a 5 km walk

• If visiting the famous Koněprusy caves located in the hills above Beroun, consider adding a stroll through the forest to the end of the ridge for a fine view at the site of the Bronze Age Kotýz hillfort. The 5km ‘there and back’ walk may be extended with a rugged 3 km walk around the old limestone quarries near the caves on the Zlatý kůň nature trail.
• Parking is just below the Koněprusy caves and a guided tour of the caves, which are the largest with public access in Bohemia, lasts approximately one hour (note: the caves are only open April to October and during weekdays in November).
• The subsequent walk follows a marked trail through the mixed woods to the end of the limestone ridge where the Bronze/Iron Age hillfort of Kotýz is located, as well the intriguing Aksamit limestone arch and the Děravá cave, which was occupied extensively by Magdalenian hunters some 13000 years ago, leaving behind rare engraved slate tiles with animal images.
• Although it is a relatively short walk of 4.9 km (excluding the cave visit and the Zlatý kůň trail ), the route has couple of relatively steep up and down sections, for a total height gained/lost of around 200m.
• Refreshments should available in the Trilobit café, at the same times that the (new) visitor center is open.

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Directions

• Start at the large parking area just below the Koněprusy cave area. The car park is easily reached by a short drive from Beroun
• If visiting the caves, walk up the road for 400m to reach the ticket office. The cave entrance is located 150m from the ticket office
• After touring the caves return to the ticket office and there join the YELLOW trail in the direction of Jelínkův most
• Continue on the YELLOW trail through the woods and after 1.8km reach the signpost of Jelínkův most
• 100m below the signpost on the YELLOW trail is the natural Aksamit arch made of 400 million year old limestone
• To the left of the Jelínkův most signpost is a marked diversion trail leading onto the Kotýz sloping plateau. Here is the site of a Bronze Age fort (also occupied in the early Iron Age) , whose ramparts are just visible. At the edge of the plateau is located the Jelínkův most rock formation and the Děravá cave, which was used extensively as a shelter by hunters in the Magdalenian era (some 13000 years ago). Important engraved slate tiles showing pictures of ibex and rhinoceros were unearthed at the site
• After exploring the site, return back along the YELLOW trail to the caves ticket office and parking areas. The Zlatý kůň trail starts from the same point