Radeč (721m) – the highest point in the Křivoklát hills – a 12 km tour

Curiously, the highest point in the Křivoklát forest and hill area – Radeč (721m) – actually lies outside the Křivoklátsko protected landscape area. Whatever the reason for excluding the Radeč ridge from the large nature zone, it does not deter hikers from claiming this summit. On the way to and from the summit in the attractive forest landscape there are two excellent viewpoints to visit, as well as a medieval fortress site and an undated (but probably prehistoric) hill fort. Not a bad collection for a 12 km circuit.
The easiest access to the Radeč ridge is to start from the village of Těškov, reached in a few minutes by car from the D5 highway. Těškov can also be reached by a short bus journey from the town of Mýto, which has a direct rail link to Prague.
Starting in Těškov, the route climbs gently, past the pension Výhledy na Brdy (which is also the main starting point for cross country skiing in winter in these hills), through the mixed forest to reach the site of a 14th century fortress, Hrad na Radči, which also has one of the best viewpoints in the area.
From the viewpoint, the highpoint of Radeč is quickly reached (it does not offer much of a view, apart from of the nearby transmission tower) but on the return journey the suggested route visits the ancient fortified site (and viewpoint) of Bílá skála, before returning to Těškov on one of the wide and peaceful forest roads.
None of the paths on the route are steep, and this makes it an excellent trip even in winter, when the hills can be attractively snowy. At that time of year, some of the trails might be shared with an occasional cross country skier, so make sure not to walk in any prepared tracks!
The top of the viewpoints can sometimes be difficult to access when conditions are very icy, so care is required in winter conditions. The total height gained/lost on the proposed route is 240m. There are no refreshment options directly on the route, so take a picnic to enjoy on one of the viewpoints!

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

Start the walk in the village of Těškov. There are parking spots along the road next to the village pond
Begin on the RED trail, which follows a side road that starts at the wooden chapel (a typical folk architecture style dating from the end of the 18th century)
Head up the road in the direction of Radeč, staying on the RED trail and enter the forest area, soon after passing the pension Výhledy na Brdy
The trail climbs steadily on the wide forest track to reach the signpost of Radeč – východ (3.2 km from the village)
At the signpost turn right, staying on the RED trail and walk for 500m on the forest footpath to reach the Hrad signpost – the viewpoint and the few signs of the fortification (the remains of the moat-ditch etc) are a few metres off the main trail. Climb to the top of the rock for the best views – if it is not iced up.
After visiting the viewpoint, return back along the RED trail to the Radeč – východ sign and here turn right onto the GREEN trail – in the direction of Brno (vrchol)
This trail climbs to the summit area of Radeč (721m), passing the transmission tower and then descends to the Radeč – západ signpost (2.6 km from Radeč – východ)
At Radeč – západ turn left in the direction of Bílá skála, staying on the GREEN trail
After 400m there is a diversion sign to the Bílá skála viewpoint. Take this diversion and walk the extra 200m to this viewpoint – this is the site of the undated, possibly prehistoric, hillfort
Return from the viewpoint back along the 200m diversion path to the Bílá skála signpost and here turn right in the direction of Sklená Huť
Descend the hill on the GREEN trail for 200m, and just after the trail bends to the right, take the unmarked forest footpath sharply to the left. Note: do not continue on the GREEN trail – this heads in the opposite direction to Těškov!
Follow this forest path for 700m – it bends to the right and then joins the wide forest track, which is a marked cycle route
Join this wide forest track, continuing downhill for 200m. The track then splits – take the left fork – and continue on this wide forest road which has a flat section for about 1.5km and then gently descends towards Těškov
Just before the track leaves the forest it branches to the right. Do not take the right branch but continue straight on the smaller footpath which leads after 400m to the RED trail that was used for outbound route.
Turn right onto the RED trail, which soon passes the pension and then descends back to the village.

Note: This last section of the walk, on unmarked – but easily found – trails is made easy if navigating using the mapy.com phone app, which is highly recommended for all the walks in this guide.