Vyhlídka Máj and Slapy dam, a 17 km adventurous route starting in Třebenice

Between the towns of Štěchovice and Slapy, the Vltava river carves its way through hardened volcanic rock, creating a series of serpentine bends in a steep-sided gorge. The landscape is a photographer’s dream. There are many spectacular viewpoints, both from the shore and from the heights above, but the most famous (and most visited) is vyhlídka Máj.
The fastest way to reach the viewpoint is to park just outside the village of Teletín and take the gently rising 1 km path across the meadow, returning on the same route. You will not be alone. The small car park is usually full at weekends/holiday periods and there might be quite a crowd on meadow footpath.
A longer and certainly a more adventurous and varied route, is to start from the Slapy dam below the village of Třebenice, where there is a large parking area. There are regular buses here from Smíchovské nádraží in Prague. The journey to vyhlídka Máj from Třebenice is 8 km and offers a series of excellent views both of the Štěchovice and Slapy reservoirs and across the rolling countryside.
The suggested outbound route involves a challenging path that weaves through a narrow rock-lined valley alongside the Třeblová stream towards the village of Teletín. This route also offers the option of diverting to a rarely visited viewpoint on the shores of the Štěchovice reservoir (see the third picture below).
The return route from the Máj viewpoint can be along the same paths, or partly along the road to the village of Vysoký Újezd (with its prominent Gothic church visible from afar), giving a total trip length of 17km (with 470m of height gained/lost]. The section of path following the Třeblová stream is not easy, as it can be slippery and involve crossing fallen trees, but it is an interesting valley. The alternative route via Vysoký Újezd is easier, and is described below (for the return journey).
The 17km circuits has relatively steep and slippery sections, and significant care is required if conditions are icy. Even the route to the viewpoint across the meadow is not without challenge when conditions are icy. The viewpoint area is unprotected and has cliff edges.
There are no refreshment options on the 17km route (apart from in Třebenice at the start/finish), so take enough liquids for the whole journey.

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Directions

Start the walk in the village Třebenice, above the Slapy dam. There is a large parking area available, and regular buses from Smíchovské nádraží in Prague
From the car park, take the BLUE trail in the direction of Rabyně, crossing the dam, and continuing on the BLUE trail as it climbs the hillside to reach the village of Rabyně after 2.1 km
From Rabyně continue on the BLUE trail for a further 2 km to reach the trail junction of Pexův luh. Here turn left onto the YELLOW trail in the direction of Teletín (note: this trail is quite steep and can be slippery in wet weather)
After 1.3 km the YELLOW trail turns sharply right, crossing the stream to climb uphill. At this point an unmarked trail continues downhill to the reservoir shore. This 400m diversion is worthwhile for the excellent view over the reservoir at the end of the path
Continue on the YELLOW trail climbing alongside the stream to reach the village of Teletín after a further 1.9 km from the turn
In Teletín stay on the YELLOW trail on the public road for 250m until just past the the parking area.
Leave the YELLOW trail to strike across the meadow towards the viewpoint – there is a wide trail across the field. After 900m reach the Máj viewpoint
Return back to the village of Teletín. Here there is a choice as to a return route; either follow the outbound route (YELLOW trail, then BLUE) back to Slapy dam or take the 1km longer (but much easier) route along the public road to the village of Vysoký Újezd (1.5 km from Teletín)
In Vysoký Újezd turn right onto the BLUE trail which leads back to the Pexův luh trail junction after 1.3 km
From Pexův luh follow the same (BLUE) trail as used on the outbound route back across the dam and to the village of Třebenice (for refreshments)