Vojta Náprstek’s Trail from Beroun to Karlštejn

The more demanding route will take you from the bustling city, through the popular pilgrimage site, through the quiet countryside to the gem of the local region – Karlštejn Castle. The red trail named Vojta Náprstek’s Trail with the designation No. 0001 is the oldest preserved hiking trail in Bohemia. 

Vojta Náprstek became the founder of the Czech Tourist Club in 1889, and the oldest marked hiking trail in Bohemia is named after him. Get ready for a not so easy journey full of climbs, which you will start in Beroun. Right at the beginning you will see the first climb, behind which is the pilgrimage site of Svatý Jan pod Skalou.  

• Interesting fact: In Svatý Jan pod Skalou, according to legend, lived the hermit Ivan, after whom the local healing spring is named. Visitors and tourists can try it here, it is located just to the right of the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. In the past, water from the spring was even bottled and sold as Ivanka mineral water.  

From Svatý Jan pod Skalou to Karlštejn Castle, you will find the most beautiful part of the trail, as most tourists who have walked the Vojta Náprstek’s Trail will confirm. But see for yourself and when you have climbed the forest slope to the fork of Propadlé vody, continue to Boubová until you reach  the Bubovické waterfalls, which today appear only after very heavy rains. The path then takes you to the Oak of Seven Brothers, which has a trunk circumference of 5 metres, and then the trail turns to Karlštejn Castle.  

• Tip for you: In addition to a tour of the iconic Karlštejn Castle, don’t miss the Museum of Nativity Scenes in the settlement under the castle. You will see dozens of historical nativity scenes carved from wood, wax, sugar or even bread. But the real rarity is hidden in the museum’s attic. It is the Karlštejn Royal Nativity Scene, which is the largest Czech puppet nativity scene ever with an area of 80m2 . You can also buy Karlštejn wine here. 

After visiting the castle, descend through the settlement below it to the Berounka River. Here you will find the train station, from where trains run back to Beroun. Before you get there, how about a bite to eat? Try the Karlštejn 34 bistro, awarded the Crystal Pin by Google. The best ice cream in town is at GelaRt, which offers 16 different flavours.