What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

How long does this tour take?

This tour lasts approximately 8 hours.

Where does this tour start?

Meeting point details will be provided in your booking confirmation.

Czech Republic

Svatý Jan Monastery To Karlštejn Hiking Trip From Prague

8 hours

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Overview

Just beyond Prague's suburbs lays the Czech Karst Landscape Protected Area. There, nestled under an impressive limestone cliff is Benedictin monastery of Svatý Jan, a perfect start for our hiking trip to the famous Karlštejn Castle.

Whether you like nature or architectural sights, this tour has them all, wrapped together within easy walk. You will definitely love the Svaty Jan and Czech Karst area and here is why:

- It is very close to Prague, only 40 mins drive from city centre
- It is beautiful: Lush green in spring/summer, deep orange and red in autumn
- A unique blend of cozy atmosphere of a rural monastery, scenic forest trails and majestatic Karlstejn castle lying within hand's reach
- A good lunch and coffee at Svatý Jan local family restaurant
- A touch of industrial history at Solvay Quarry open air museum

The hike is 3 to 5 km long and everyone can choose a variant based on his fitness level (steep or easy walkaround).

Gallery

Svatý Jan Monastery To Karlštejn Hiking Trip From Prague — photo 1

Svatý Jan Monastery To Karlštejn Hiking Trip From Prague — photo 2

Svatý Jan Monastery To Karlštejn Hiking Trip From Prague — photo 3

Svatý Jan Monastery To Karlštejn Hiking Trip From Prague — photo 4

Svatý Jan Monastery To Karlštejn Hiking Trip From Prague — photo 5

What's Included

✓ Included

Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle

Itinerary

Stop 1

A postcard-perfect village with a former Benedictin monastery, nestled under an impressive limestone cliff. We arrive here after a short ride from Prague, and fill up our bottles with (supposedly) healing water from local spring. After soaking up the holy atmosphere, we start climbing up the cliff, to view the village from bird's perspective. Along the way we will pass a former limestone quarry with an exposition of historical mining machinery.

Stop 2

Open air museum of mining history and machinery. We will pass around the museum as part of our hike to the cliff above Svaty Jan, nevertheless we will not enter the mine itself. In summer a small mining railway is in operation for local families visiting the museum, on certain weekends with a steam locomotive.

Stop 3

After a short transfer (10 mins) from Svatý Jan, we will arrive to the parking below the iconic castle. To give you the best view of it (and avoid crowds), we will take alternative path and approach the castle via a tourist trail from opposite direction. The detour is not more than 30 mins walking, and with your camera full of impressive pictures, we will arrive to the main gem of the trip. Here we leave it up to you whether to enter the castle itself, or enjoy the tourist village beneath it. Return to Prague from here can be done individually by a direct train running every 30 minutes, optionally we can drive you back to your hotel.