*From Zbečno to Křivoklát along the Berounka: a classic 8 km to 20 km walk*

• This walk features a classic stretch of footpath on the terrace high above the Berounka river, which leads from the village of Zbečno to the town of Křivoklát, with its ‘fairytale’ medieval castle. The best way to access this walk is by using the train line which runs between Beroun and Rakovník, with stops at the intermediary stations along the Berounka. The service runs frequently and there is a large ‘park and ride’ directly at Beroun station, for those driving to Beroun.
• If using the train there are various combinations possible for starting and finishing the walk, but a good option is to start at Zbečno and finish at either Křivoklát (for an 8 km walk) or Roztoky train stations. Finishing in Roztoky (an 11 km walk) provides an opportunity to enjoy additional views of the Berounka.
• A final option is to continue in a circle back to Zbečno – an excellent 20 km round trip, involving nearly 500m of height to ascend/descend. The final section from Roztoky involves a climb back into the attractive mixed Křivoklátsko forests and then a gentle descent following a side road back to to Zbečno.
• After starting at Zbečno train station, the route crosses the Berounka and then passes the Hamousův statek, one of Central Bohemia’s oldest examples of folk architecture that is open the public (parts of the farmhouse date from the 16th century). After a section directly on the north bank of the river, the trail rises to the terraces nearly 200m above the river, and then progresses through the forest towards Křivoklát, with several viewpoints on the route.
• The medieval royal castle of Křivoklát is a popular destination for day trips from Prague. First constructed by the Přemyslid rulers of the 13th century and a favorite hunting location for several Bohemian kings, the castle may be toured throughout the year (only at weekends in winter). It is definitely worth exploring for its rich medieval and Renaissance history, and varied architecture.
• The trail is mostly on easy forest paths or asphalt roads, although the paths are sometimes narrow on the terrace section above the river and the section down to the river on the Roztoky extension is quite steep. The 11 km walk involves some 300m of height gained /lost on the route.
• The best refreshment stops are in the lower village in Křivoklát (eg the restaurant Sýkora – map point 7), requiring an additional short descent/reascent from/to the castle, if undertaking the Roztoky or circular versions of this walk. There are also a couple of village pubs near the parking in Zbečno.

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 at the Zbečno railway station (approximately 25 minutes by train from Beroun, on a scenic section of railway following the Berounka). If driving there is a parking area in the center of the village, near the church
• From the train station, take the RED hiking trail in the direction of Zbečno village and cross the river.
• At the main street, turn left onto the GREEN trail in the direction of Křivoklát.
• After 160m, the trail passes the open-air folk museum of Hamousův statek, follows the river for a section and then turns inland before climbing to the terraces above the Berounka
• After 3km reaches the signpost at Pisky, located by the main road. Here, turn left onto the RED trail in the direction of Hrad Křivoklát
• The castle square is reached on the RED trail 3.6 km from Pisky
• If wanting to take the shorter option of returning from the Křivokát train station, descend on the YELLOW trail, which follows the road downhill. At the lower village level, there is a footbridge across the stream, next to the hotel and restaurant Sýkora, which leads to the train station
• If taking the longer Roztoky option, the trail, return 200 m back up the road following the YELLOW trail in the direction of Vyhlídka Paraplíčko (Note: the best refreshment options are in the lower village, requiring a descent and reascent if following the Roztoky route)
• Shortly after joining the YELLOW trail, there is the best viewpoint of the castle (at the Monument of Prince Karl Egon II. of Fürstenberg)
• Continue on the YELLOW trail for 400m to reach the Paraplíčko viewpoint, and from there descend the hill in the direction of Roztoky, still on the YELLOW trail
• Cross the stream on the footbridge, and follow the YELLOW trail along a section of the south bank of the Berounka to reach the Roztoky train station after 1.8 km
• If continuing on the full circular route back to Zbečno, continue on the YELLOW trail past the station to join the RED trail after 500m at the Roztoky – nahoře junction
• At Roztoky – nahoře, take the RED trail in the direction of Pod Beraníkem, which is reached after 1.7 km
• At Pod Beraníkem, join the YELLOW trail heading towards Račice. After a forest section, the trail joins a public road heading towards Račice and Zbečno
• After 3.5 km, the YELLOW trail leaves the public road to drop down to Račice village. Stay on the road, which leads directly to Zbečno station after 3.2 km