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An easy walk in the forests above Štěchovice, returning along the Kocába valley: 11 km

  • The town of Štěchovice, situated on the Vltava river 20 km south of Prague, is a good starting point for a number of scenic walks in the dramatic volcanic landscape in which several rivers and streams have carved steep gorges.
  • Štěchovice is a potential starting point for the famous Svatojánské proudy footpath along the banks of the reservoir. Štěchovice is also an option for a starting a walk onto the Hradištko peninsular, well known for its WWII history.
  • A less well-known path leads into hills above Štěchovice, where there are attractive managed forests, with a wide variety of trees. It is possible to then circle back to Štěchovice along the dramatic Kocába river valley, with its jagged volcanic rock ridges. Most of the walk is in a forested area and this walk is good even if the weather is not perfect, especially in autumn, when the colors in the forest are very attractive.
  • Štěchovice has frequent bus connections with Prague and is quickly reached by car along the 102 main road. In summer there is even a historic steamboat which runs from Prague to Štěchovice (and on to the Slapy dam).
  • The suggested circular route is just over 11 km long, with around 200m of height to ascend-descend. The only steep section of path is the climb out of Štěchovice, but this is on a good footpath. Otherwise, the route is on wide forest tracks and asphalt roads. For refreshments, try the excellent Ella má kávu café just on the edge of town (map point 4).

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 in the center of Štěchovice, joining the GREEN trail in the direction of Slapy
  • After a short section along the main road and then into the Kocába valley, follow the GREEN trail crossing the Kocába river using the bridge
  • After crossing the river, climb steeply up into the forest and continue for 4.3 km on the GREEN trail until reaching the V Paloukách junction
  • At the junction turn right onto the BLUE trail in the direction of Pod Masečínem
  • Continue on the trail, which is now a forest road, for 2.4 km until reaching the Pod Masečínem junction
  • At the Pod Masečínem junction, turn right onto the YELLOW trail and follow this directly beside the Kocába rover for 4 km to return to Štěchovice town
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