*Walks along the river Labe from Brandýs nad Labem to meet the Jizera at Káraný: 10 km – 14 km*

• Brandýs nad Labem is an attractive town situated directly on the river Labe, some 20 km to the northeast of Prague. It is easily accessed by bus from the capital. Brandýs has a fine Renaissance chateau, owned for many centuries by the Habsburg family. It was a favourite hunting lodge for Emperor Rudolf II in the 16th century and is open at various times for tours. There is also some fine Baroque architecture hidden away in the side streets, which are worth exploring.
• Brandýs is an excellent starting point for easy flat walks along the picturesque Labe, with footpaths heading both up and downstream. These paths are good options for a refreshing winter walk. If the snow has fallen, walkers will often be accompanied by cross-country skiers making use of the wide paths. Another plus point is that there are a number of good café-bistros in town for refreshment after a short walk!
• This page has a suggestion for a nice route heading upstream for 5 km to Káraný, where the river Jizera meets the Labe. Returning on the same path provides a very easy 10 km outing. Taking a more circuitous route back to Brandýs, in the forests on the north bank of the Labe, gives a pleasantly varied 14 km circuit. Both routes can be managed with a stroller and are essentially flat.
• This latter route includes a crossing of the fast-flowing Jizera river, which is very different in character to the wide but languid Labe. In winter the Labe is often frozen – as can be seen from the header picture, taken in January 2026. The final section of the return route crosses Rudolf’s former hunting grounds. Part of this path has been made into an avenue celebrating Czech Olympic athletes.
• Brandýs is blessed with several good refreshment options, including some excellent café-bistros. A couple of these are highlighted in the map below: a hidden gem is Gasolina Kafe (map point 8), but also try Kavárna Dvě vrány (map point 9). The latter is a Hejlík recommendation.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Brandýs can easily be reached by regular bus from the north of Prague. There are also various parking option in the town, including next to Brandýs chateau and the information office (these are paid parking areas)
• From the main square, follow the road through the centre to reach the chateau after 500m
• If open, take a walk around the small garden area at the Brandýs chateau (in the summer season there are peacocks and other animals) and view the impressive moat
• Descend to the river using the walkway around the chateau passing under the archway and turn right to follow the BLUE marked hiking trail. This soon descends directly to the river bank and heads upstream
• Continue along the river upstream, crossing using the Toušeň pedestrian footbridge after 5 km
• Then take the YELLOW marked route for 1 km into the village of Káraný. At the crossroads, turn left onto the RED trail heading back towards Brandýs
• After 900m, cross the Jizera using the road bridge and immediately turn onto the BLUE trail which leads directly back to Brandýs chateau after 5.8 km
• Don’t miss walking through the old parts of town, by following the take the RED trail