*Manětín to Nečtiny with an optional return along the Mlýnská stezka: 6 km to 13 km*

• Manětín is one of the most popular attractions in western Bohemia, with its majestic Baroque chateau whose current form dates from an early 18th century reconstruction after a major fire in 1712. Some commentaries attribute the reconstruction to the famous Baroque architect Santini, but it appears to be the work of his contemporary, Thomas Hafenecker.
• The chateau is normally open for tours from April to October, but the adjoining small park area is open all year round. There are several possibilities for combining a visit to the chateau with a walk in the nearby countryside, particularly to the south of Manětín in the Manětínská nature park, which is a mostly forested area with an attractive mix of pine, spruce, beech, oak and birch trees, growing in sandy soil.
• Several hiking trails cross the nature park and a number of nice circular walks can be created of different lengths. The easiest trail – a forest track, partly asphalted – runs for 6 km between Manětín and the village of Nečtiny, where there is an excellent pub, the Hostinec Na Radnici. The village is dominated by the fine 18th century Church of St James. This one way route can be managed with a stroller. There are bus connections back to Manětín.
• For those wanting to walk back to Manětín, an interesting nature trail, the 6.6 km Mlýnská stezka, starts in Nečtiny and follows the Manětínský stream, passing several old mills and forges. There are information boards along the trail (only in Czech). This trail undulates a bit and the path is not really suitable for strollers. The full 13 km circular route shown in the map below involves around 180 m of height to ascend/descend.
• Apart from the (recommended) pub in Nečtiny, there are also several refreshment options in Manětín, including the well-known chateau restaurant and a popular Pizzeria on the square.

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

• Manětín can be reach by frequent buses from Plzeň. If driving, there are usually parking spots along the main street and a small parking area in front of the chateau
• Before setting off on the walk, take a moment to visit the chateau park and garden, accessed through an alleyway leading to a side courtyard
• From the trail junction in front of the chateau, take the RED trail heading towards Nečtiny (note there is a short cut available to join this trail directly from the chateau park, as shown in the map)
• Nečtiny main square is reached in 6 km (note if walking with a stroller, the rather awkward steps by the church can be avoided by continuing on the road past the Baroque rectory)
• Unless catching the bus back to Manětín, for the return journey follow the Mlýnská stezka which starts at Nečtiny main square
• Join the GREEN trail heading towards Lešovice junction, which is reached after 3.3 km
• At Lešovice, join the blue marked nature trail (blue/white diagonal stripes), which leads back to Manětín main square after 3.3 km