Exploring the ancient burial mounds near Tursko and Chýnov: 10 km

• Some of the most extensive and best-preserved prehistoric burial mounds (barrows) in Central Bohemia can be found in the landscape around the villages of Tursko and Chýnov, 20 km northwest of Prague, between Roztoky and Kralupy. The burial grounds appear to have been in use for at least a thousand years during the Bronze and Iron Ages.
• The barrows are today hidden in forest glades and finding them requires a bit of exploration! The most extensive set are in the Chýnovský háj forest area, 2 km to the east of Tursko. More than 40 barrows have survived, but many more burial mounds associated with this site are likely to have been destroyed by agriculture over the intervening centuries.
• There are several other more isolated barrows a short walk from Chýnovský háj, including those constructed on the rocky knolls of Krliš and Ers to the southeast and west of Tursko. These are atmospheric places. It is not difficult to imagine that these were the burial sites of significant Celtic warriors, whose spirits were supposed to guard the local settlement.
• On the path from Tursko to Chýnovský háj, three elevated observation posts were constructed 2021 by the Prague Faculty of Architecture. Each offers a slightly different view. The view to the north offers a good perspective of the legendary hill Říp and the volcanic peaks of the České středohoří region.
• The circuit around each of these sites, starting in Tursko village is around 10 km long with only 60m of height to ascend/descend. The route is easy, on a mixture of footpaths across the fields and asphalt roads.
• One of the surprising, but welcome discoveries in Tursko village is the Mlsárnička café, located on a residential side street, halfway between the knolls of Krliš and Ers. Stop by for a coffee and one of the excellent cakes on the walk between the two hills!

Note: click ‘Show on map’ above to go to a full screen version directly on the mapy.cz site. This can be used for online navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file

Directions

• Start in Tusko village, which is on a regular bus route from Prague. There are no designated public parking areas in the village, but it usually possible to find a parking spot
• In the village center join the YELLOW trail, heading in the direction of Těšina
• After 2 km reach the three new observation posts, sited on a rocky knoll with views towards Říp and the first burial mounds
• Continue on the YELLOW trail reaching the public road after 1 km and then entering the forest area
• After following the YELLOW trail for 200m into the forest, take the unmarked footpath to the left which leads into the area with the barrows. They are either side of the footpath for around 500m
• Return back to the YELLOW trail and then back to Tursko village, along the public road if wanting a short cut
• Back in the village center, follow the YELLOW trail past the church for 700m to reach Krliš hill, which is topped with a cairn
• From Krliš return back towards the village but then take the side road to the left before reaching the church and cut through the housing area (note the location of Mlsárnička café for some quick refreshments – map point 8) and continue on the farm track towards the wooded hill of Ers
• The barrow on Ers is just before the summit. From here, turn right and follow the ridge line downhill to reach the public road. Turn right and return back to Tursko village center in 1.1 km