Czech Republic Hiking – Vienna to Prague

Activity Level: (?) activity level details

Activity Level and Qualifications

This trip is rated Moderate [3] The daily hikes range from 4-8 miles (shorter options available daily) on dirt trails and small country roads with gently rolling hills.

Trip Highlights

Trip Itinerary and Details

Day 1 - Arrive in Vienna, Austria, the City of Music.

Arrive at any time in Vienna, Austria and transfer to our hotel for the evening. Explore the impressive sights or rest up for hiking. No meals included.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel on your own schedule, then meet your guide at 9am in the hotel lobby, dressed in hiking clothes, packed and ready to depart. Following introductions we transfer to Schrattenberg, a small town close to the border with the Czech Republic. Today's trail soon crosses the border into Moravian wine country. Our route leads us through woodlands interspersed with vineyards to the town of Valtice for lunch. We continue hiking to Lednice through an area referred to as the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, this land is the former estate of the Lichtenstein family. From the 17th century, the Dukes of Liechtenstein began to transform their territories into an impressive landscape. Combining Baroque architecture of the Valtice Castle and the neo-gothic style of the Lednice Castle with the countryside fashioned according to English romantic principles of landscape architecture, it is one of the largest formally designed landscapes in Europe. The area is filled with tree-lined paths, ponds with swans gliding, gardens, pavilions, and statues. We overnight near Lednice-Valtice in the quaint town of Hlohovec. All meals included.

Van transfer:

1.5 hours; Hiking: 8 miles (3.5 hours); Terrain: dirt trails and country roads, mostly flat.

Day 3 - Hike the Pálava highlands – ruined castles, vineyards, limestone cliffs.

Pálava Landscape Protected Area is a land of limestone outcrops and hardwood forests, placed on the exclusive UNESCO list of biosphere reserves due to its variety of unique ecosystems and archeological significance. This area contains monuments of historical significance, such as the Paleolithic site in Dolní Věstonice where a ceramic Venus statue, dating to 29,000-25,000 BC, was discovered. We begin our hike in Pavlov, which is known for its wine. The village wine cellars, with their rustic baroque gables, hint at the wealth this area once enjoyed. The marina below the village has made it popular among yachters all over the Czech Republic. We hike through the reserve dotted with white cliffs and ruined castles, filled with mixed forests of beech, maple, linden and oak, and across meadows strung with vineyards. We conclude our hike in Mikulov, where a Baroque castle, historic Renaissance square, old Jewish quarter, and wine cellars beckon us to linger for a while. Once again we overnight in Hlohovec. All meals included.

Van transfer:

30 minutes; Hiking: 4 miles (2.5 hours) with optional addition of 2 miles; Terrain: dirt trails, country roads, rolling hills with a couple of steep sections.

Day 4 - Our route leads to colorful 13th-century Telč.

Our hike begins in Třešť, a city dating back to the 13th century. Our route takes us to the Rostejn Castle, its seven sided tower rising nearly 100 feet above the rocky outcrop on which it sits. From the 1600s to the early 1900s it was used as a hunting castle. After a delicious picnic lunch, we hike through woodlands and meadows to the colorful 13th century town of Telč. located at the crossroads of busy trade routes between Moravia, Bohemia and Austria. Aside from its monumental Renaissance chateau with an English-style park, Telč is well known for its town square with well-preserved, pastel-colored Renaissance and Baroque homes decorated with high gables and arcades. Take time to absorb the scene on the town square, visit the chateau, or walk along the small lakes that border the town, where the red-tiled roofs are reflected in tranquil waters. We enjoy dinner and overnight in Telč, a UNESCO World heritage site. All meals included.

Van transfer: 2 hours; Hiking: 8 miles (3.5 hours) with option to add 2 miles; Terrain: dirt trails, country roads, flat to gently rolling hills.

Day 5 - Explore the ruins of Landštejn Castle, then head to Trebon.

After transferring to Stalkov we hike to the ruined Landštejn Castle, which ranks among the most significant Romanesque historic monuments in Central Europe. The huge castle was built in the 13th century for the protection of an important trade route and the border between the Czech lands and Austria. Following a picnic lunch, we continue our hike to the village of Slavonice. Local pathways take us into a pristine environment with cultivated forests, streams and ponds, and past small, quaint towns tucked into the countryside's undulating hills. Later this afternoon, we transfer to the lovely spa town of Trebon and check into our hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore Trebon's historical and cultural attractions. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.

Van transfers: 1.25 hours; Hiking: 6.2 miles (2.5 hours) with option to add 3.7 miles; Terrain: dirt trails, country roads, flat to gently rolling hills.

Day 6 - Amble around the fish-filled lakes and ponds of Trebon basin.

Following breakfast, we transfer about one hour to the village of Lutova, where we begin our hike back to Trebon. The Trebon Basin, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, holds a vast network of fishponds and water channels surrounded by forests of spruce, fir and pine trees. The Rozmberk family, a Czech aristocratic dynasty, brought development and management to the marshy landscape and by the 15th century the region was transformed with over 400 fishponds, creating the main center of fish farming in the Czech Republic. Upon reaching Trebon, we enjoy lunch at a wonderful local fish restaurant and then transfer about one hour to Český Krumlov. The afternoon is free to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lovely old bridges cross and re-cross the Vltava River as it winds through town. Český Krumlov´s castle complex of forty buildings and palaces, situated around five castle courts and a castle park spanning an area of seven hectares, is awe inspiring. Dinner is on your own tonight, allowing you to explore the many charming cafes and taverns that line the river. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.

Van transfers: 2.5 hours; Hiking: 7 miles (3 hours); Terrain: dirt trails and country roads, flat to gently rolling hills.

Day 7 - Tour Český Krumlov's castle and magnificent Baroque theatre.

Today we explore fairytale-like Český Krumlov. We spend the morning visiting the castle's highlight, a splendidly intact 18th century baroque theater, one of only two left in the world that retains much of its original wardrobes, sceneries and theater props. After lunch, we discover the sites of the city on a professionally guided tour. The remainder of the afternoon is free until we meet for dinner. All meals included.

Walking: 2-4 hours.

Day 8 - Hike to Holašovice to see South Bohemian Folk Baroque buildings before transferring to Prague.

This morning we transfer to Volevcice and begin our hike to Holašovice, an exceptionally complete and well-preserved traditional village. The village's outstanding 18th and 19th century South Bohemian Folk Baroque buildings, built around an extensive village green, has insured inclusion of Holašovice in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Following lunch, we depart for Prague. Upon reaching our hotel, farewells are exchanged with your guide. Explore on your own one of the world's most beautiful cities. Breakfast and lunch included.

Van transfers: 3 hours; Hiking: 7.5 miles (3 hours); Terrain: dirt trails and country roads, flat to rolling hills.

Day 9 - Depart Prague or stay to explore one of Europe's best preserved cities!

Breakfast is at your leisure at the hotel before transferring on your own to the Prague airport. Breakfast included.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.