*A relaxing walk along the cycle trail between Vrané nad Vltavou and Zbraslav: 5 km*

• The Vltava cycle route runs for more than 400 km beside the Czech Republic’s longest river, from its source in the Šumava mountains to its confluence with the Labe at Mělník. Much of the route is also suitable for hikers (and several sections are used on walks in this guide).
• One of most well-known sections of this cycle route follows the right bank of the river for 28 km from Vrané nad Vltavou (near Zbraslav) through the center of Prague to Troja (where Prague Zoo and botanical gardens are situated). The route is labelled A2 and the access/start points are the train stations at Vrané or Zbraslav. The whole of this route is perfectly suited also for walkers (and some would say this is a better way to do the trail, particularly the sections though the center of Prague, where cyclists need to use the main roads, rather than a separate path).
• A good choice for a shorter section of this trail is the completely flat 5 km path between Vrané and Zbraslav. Use the regular train connections to/from Prague to make this a one-way route. The whole walk is on an asphalt path directly beside the Vltava river, so is highly suitable for walkers with strollers. It can be tackled in either direction, but if walking near to sunset, the views towards to important Celtic hillfort of Závist are best when walking from Vrané to Zbraslav.
• There are a number of nice refreshments options along the route, with a surprising number of choices in Vrané itself (a café, bistro and some good pubs). Half way along the route is a popular modern snack bar – the BEAR PLACE – with a terrace area overlooking the river (not open in winter).
• There are no refreshments at Zbraslav train station and it is necessary to cross the bridge to head into the historic town center to find some spots (or continue along the cycle path towards Prague – where more seasonal snack bars can be found). Zbraslav itself worth a quick visit. It is an important historical town, where Václav II founded a Cistercian monastery in the 13th century (still impressive today), which became the burial place for the last of the Přemyslid rulers of Bohemia.

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

• Catch the train from Prague main station to either Zbraslav or Vrané nad Vltavou and then follow the cycle path along the river
• There is an alternative RED marked hiking path linking the two stations, but for a more relaxed walk – with better views of the Vltava – stay on the cycle path!