Circular routes along the Labe river between Neratovice and Kostelec nad Labem: 17 km – 19 km

• There are many footpaths and cycle tracks directly beside the scenic river Labe in the lowland Bohemian basin, but it is more challenging to create a medium length circular route from a single starting point, due to the relative infrequency of bridges. However, the attractive section of river between Neratovice and Kostelec nad Labem in the Mělník district is unusual in that there is a path on both sides of the river and convenient bridges in both towns.
• A further advantage of this route is that there is an alternative cross-country trail that passes through the fields and pretty farming villages a little away from the river, enabling a nicely varied trip. The direct route following the trails on both sides of the river is 17 km long, and the route with the cross-country leg is just over 19 km long (the latter is shown in the map and described in the directions).
• The walk can be started in either town. Neratovice has direct train connections with Prague, while Kostelec has a variety of bus connections. Both have free parking areas directly on the route. The directions below assume a start in the town center of Kostelec, taking the cross-country route to Neratovice, then returning back along the riverside footpath.
• The return path passes through the village of Lobkovice, where the Renaissance chateau that was restituted to the ancient Lobkowicz family in 1991, is gradually being restored with the support of volunteers. Another highlight on the return leg is the restaurant Aroma located in part of the old Lobkowicz mill, which has a pleasant terrace area and good food.
• The route is almost completely flat, but the some of the paths through the fields and along the river are quite narrow, so would be a challenge with a stroller.

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

• Starting the center of Kostelec nad Labem join the RED trail and head northwards towards the river in the direction of U zdymadla
• Cross the river and turn right staying on the RED trail (note – if taking the riverside trail in both directions, turn left after crossing the bridge and join the cycle trail heading downstream until reaching the Neratovice bridge, then pick up the route from the * bullet)
• 600m after crossing the bridge and heading upstream on the RED trail, turn left at the U zdymadla junction onto the YELLOW trail
• After 1.2 km on the YELLOW trail reach the junction of Na Kopě. Here, turn left onto the BLUE trail in the direction of Neratovice
• *After 8.1 km following the BLUE trail through the farming countryside, cross the Labe again using the road bridge to enter the town of Neratovice
• Stay on the BLUE trail heading back upstream towards Kostelec
• After passing around the Lidl shopping complex, the Aroma restaurant is on the left side
• Continue a further 500m on the BLUE trail into the village of Lobkovice
• In the village center, join the GREEN trail heading in the direction of Kostelec
• After 900m pass the chateau on the right and continue on the GREEN trail beside the river
• This leads directly back to the center of Kostelec in 6.2 km