Views over Slapy: 10 km to 20 km tours in the hills near Měřín and Jablonná

• The Slapy reservoir – the sixth largest in the country – was created in 1955 by damming the river Vlava around 30 km from Prague. It is a popular vacation spot with sandy beaches and many water sports activities and boat trips available along its scenic shores. Walkers in the area have multiple route options; some of the best walks are included in these pages (use the Region filter: Slapy to view the currently published walks).
• Possibly the best panoramas of the lake are from the viewpoints on the road up from Slapy dam towards the village of Loutí, on the eastern side of the reservoir. The newly reconstructed Rabýn lookout, with its kiosk restaurant and seating area is justly popular, but the nearby Homolka viewpoint may be even better (and certainly quieter).
• If driving in the area, then a stop at the Rabyn lookout is highly recommended. There is a free parking area opposite the viewpoint. From Rabyn a varied and interesting walking circuit in the hills on the eastern side of the reservoir can be constructed. The longer route shown in the map – 20 km – descends from Rabýn to the lakeshore at Měřín, past the holiday cottages. There is also an option of a quick stop at the grassy beach for a swim.
• The route then winds through the forested hills above Měřín to reach the old village of Jablonná, where there is fine reconstructed Baroque chateau and garden and a pleasant vinotéka (wine restaurant) opposite the chateau entrance. From Jablonná, the route zig zags along the peaceful meadow and forest trails in the southernmost section of the Central Bohemian nature reserve, to return back to Rabyn.
• There are several options to shorten the route, including skipping the most hilly section on the narrow forest paths around Měřín (which saves 5 km) and there is a short cut in the return journey from Jablonná, which can be used to save 4 km if desired.
• However, the full route of 20 km is a varied and interesting journey on quiet paths and is highly recommended. The total height gained /lost on the journey is around 500m, including the short (optional) diversion to the Měřín beach. There are various refreshment options along the route, including in Měřín, as well as the vinotéka in Jablonná and the kiosk at the Rabyn lookout.
• If travelling by public transport, there are good bus connections from Smíchov train station in Prague to the Rabyně, Stromeč bus stop which is 500m from the Rabyn viewpoint.

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 at the Rabyn lookout parking. After admiring the views from the viewpoint (on the opposite side of the road, by the kiosk) walk up the road for 100m. There is a path to the right leading to the Homolka viewpoint, which offers a second perspective of the same panorama
• Continue up the road for 300m to reach the Stromeč trail junction (and bus stop). Here, turn right onto the GREEN trail in the direction of Měřín
• After 2.7 km reach the public road that leads into the holiday village of Měřín. If wanting to skip the 5 km Měřín section, turn left on the public road and after 30m take the footpath to the right that leads across the fields for 500m to join the GREEN trail leading to Jablonná
• For the full journey, turn right onto the public road staying on the GREEN trail heading down into Měřín
• After 900m there is a turning on the right which leads down to the beach and port area. This is an optional 600m diversion. After visiting the beach return back the same way and rejoin the GREEN trail
• Continue on the GREEN trail which circles through the undulating forest area near Měřín. After 4.1 km in the forest section, reach the Jablonná trail junction located on a quiet country road
• From the Jablonná signpost, continue on the GREEN trail towards Jablonná village for 800m to reach the road junction
• The chateau entrance and vinotéka are 100m to the right. If visiting neither, turn left onto the YELLOW trail and head in the direction of Blaženice village, which is reached after 2 km
• In Blaženice, stay on the YELLOW trail along the public road to reach the village of Loutí in 1.8 km
• In Loutí, the full route continues for 6 km in the pleasant rolling countryside around Rabyně. If prefering to short cut the route, stay on the public road for 2 km. This leads back to the Rabyn lookout
• For the full route, at Loutí, stay on the YELLOW trail for 2.3 km until reaching the trail junction of Pexův luh. Here, turn left onto the BLUE trail in the direction of Rabyně
• After 1.7 km reach the public road just outside Rabyně village. At this point the BLUE trail meets the GREEN trail
• At the public road, turn left onto the GREEN trail and follow this for 1.8 km until arriving back at the Stromeč trail junction. The car park is 400m down the road to the right