*From Prague center along the Vltava to Troja, returning via Stromovka park: a 12 – 14 km tour*

• This is a personal favorite medium length circular walk which starts directly Prague’s from city center and manages to avoid many of the busy streets and pavements of the most popular tourist areas. The route essentially follows the river Vltava as it flows firstly eastwards and then bends in a horseshoe shape and heads west, reaching the villa and vineyard area of Troja, where the city’s famous botanical gardens and zoo are located.
• The outbound route follows a popular cycle track and passess through the trendy residential and commercial area of Karlín, where there are many excellent coffee shops for a quick refreshment break. For a review of the latest hot spots in Karlín, take a look at the Hejlík recommendations. He has most of the good places listed!
• For the return journey, the route crosses the Vltava on the freshly reconstructed Troja footbridge, traverses the attractive Stromovka park (which is Prague’s largest – it was created as a royal game reserve in the 13th century) and touches the edge of Letna park – the most central of all Prague’s park areas, before crossing the Vltava for a second time to return to the city center.
• The total route (if no diversions are taken) is around 12 km, depending on the exact starting point. Apart from a 60m climb to exit Stromovka park and similar descent from Letna, it is an almost completely flat walk, all on good paths. It is therefore navigable with a stroller (although there are a couple of short step sections on the descent from Letna park).
• Walkers should, however, be tempted to extend the walk by spending time in the botanical gardens, which cover nearly 30ha of slopes on the north bank of the Vltava. Highlights include the Japanese garden, the Fata Morgana greenhouse area (especially around May, when one of the greenhouses may be filled with giant tropical butterflies), and the vineyard of svatá Klára (with its superb views), as well as exploring Letna and/or Holešovice (as noted below).
• In addition to the botanical gardens, the Troja district also hosts Prague’s main zoo, which is worth a trip in its own right, as well as the spectacular Baroque Troja Chateau, which is home to the city’s collection of 19th century Czech art. If thinking about refreshments at this point, try the stylish new bistro just inside the gates of Troja Chateau – bistro Karel (map point 11).
• On the return journey, Stromovka is worth spending extra time in, with its collection of ponds and English -style parkland. Letna park also has some fine viewpoints over the Vltava and oldtown, and the beer garden in the corner of the park at Letenský zámeček is a popular spot for refreshments before descending to the busy streets of central Prague. Or alternatively, divert via the edge of Holešovice to see the St. Anthony of Padua and stop by one of Prague’s best ice cream parlours – Creme de la Creme – at map point 11. This route – including the diversion to Holešovice is shown in the map below.

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

• The main route starts and finishes on the riverbank to the north of the old town (staré Město), next to Štefanik bridge. A convenient starting point might therefore be Náměstí Republiky, with its multiple metro and tram stops. Štefanik bridge is reached in 500m by following the wide shopping street Revoluční
• From Štefanik bridge descend to the embankment directly next to the river, and head east (the opposite direction from Prague Castle) past the Botel Albatros
• The embankment path soon joins together with the Vltavská A2 cycle path, which is followed all the way to Troja
• The path passes under Hlávkův most (road bridge) and the next (railway) bridge before entering the developing residential and commercial district of Karlín and on to the striking new development in the old docks area
• Still following the cycle path, cross the dock canals on two footbridges to reach the childrens’ play area, which is situated on the curve of the Vltava as it bends to the west
• After crossing the second footbridge turn left and continue on the cycle path towards the west (this is a wide pedestrian only road)
• The cycle path follows the river closely for 4 km before reaching the Troja attractions. NOTe the option to drop down onto the riverside footpath at map point 6. This is unmarked but is a good option as it avoids a busy footpath also used by bikes
• The first Troja landmark is the orange-hued chateau. The main zoo entrance is on the left hand (western) side of the chateau , and the lower entrances to the botanical gardens on the north side of the chateau
• If not spending time in these attractions, cross the Vltava on the striking new pedestrian bridge, which starts at the corner of the chateau garden area (this is the marked cycle route 310)
• The path crosses Císařský ostrov, with its famous riding stables, and then the plavební kanál before entering the Stromovka park area
• Cross the central part of Stromovka (unless spending extra time in this lovely park) through the pond area, climbing the slope on the south side of the park
• Unless diverting via Holešovice (which is route shown in the map above), the most convenient exit of the park passes the Domus Vitae cafe-tea room, passing under the railway to join the Nad Královskou oborou street
• From there continue straight onto Čechova street which leads after 400m to the wide Milady Horákové street at the corner of Letna park
• Cross Letna park on its eastern flank (or with extra time, visit the Metronome viewpoint in the center of the park overlooking the Vltava)
• The neo Renaissance Letenský zámeček (with its interior restaurant and informal beer garden) is located in the eastern corner of the park, and from there descend on the zig-zag path (partly with steps) down to the river
• Cross the river using the Štefanik road bridge to return to staré Město, and the starting point of the walk