Hello Hikers!

This trip will take you to the top of Bezděz (604 m a.s.l./1982 ft), some 50 km north of Prague. On a clear day, you can easily see it from the northern edge of the city as two hills on the horizon. And, if you have very good eyes (or binoculars), you’ll notice a castle on the higher peak.

Bezdez Castle was founded in 1264 by the Czech king Premysl Otakar II. From the castle, you’ll have a breath-taking 360° view over northern Bohemia. Bring binoculars with you!

Máchovo jezero (Lake Mácha), also known as Mácháč [ma:kha:ch] is a large fish pond about 6 km/4 mi west of Bezděz. Originally called just Big Pond, it was renamed after Czech romantic poet Karel Hynek Mácha (1810-1836) and it is a popular place for water sports lovers.

LOGISTICS & PLAN OF THE DAY

We will meet at 9:00 am at Prague Main Station (at our usual place in front of the ticket office, see the photo below).

Please allow extra time to get there – public transport is less frequent at weekends. The best is too look up your connection on the journey planner.

The train ride to the trailhead takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The first part of the hike (1,5 hours or a bit more), will climb more than 250 meters to the hill top. We will have about an hour for the tour of the Castle. After that, we will walk back to the Bezdez village for lunch.
We’re planning to have late lunch (around 2:30 pm),  so make sure to bring a sandwich or something small to eat. 

After the lunch, you will enjoy an easy, flat walk to the town of Doksy on the shore of Machovo jezero (about 7 km, cca 2 hours). There is going to be the official opening of the summer season event with music and refreshments. Take swimwear with you!

Expected arrival back to Prague’s Main Station is 8.40 pm. Don’t plan anything important after the trip because this is a full day event!

DIFFICULTY: Easy to Medium

(12 km of hiking, with a steep ascent to Bezdez, some uneven, rocky trails)

Take with you: Good walking shoes, water and a small snack (restaurant lunch will be around 2:30 pm!), swimwear and, if you have them, binoculars for the views.

PRICE

490 CZK or 290 CZK with Discovery Pass 

(Includes round-trip train fare, admission to the Bezdez Castle, guiding and organization)

Children under 16 accompanied by adult pay 250 CZK! (in cash on the day)

Admission to the Bezdez Castle for dogs is 20 CZK (not included). To enter the castle, dogs have to be on leash and wear a muzzle.

Event’s host

This trip is planned, organized and lead by Thomas Tietjen who you might know from his regular Wednesday evening walks with Internations!