The Ultimate Adventure Guide: Best Day Trips from Prague & Things to Do in the Czech Nature
All you need to know to plan an unforgottable, off the beaten adventure trip to Prague and the whole of Czechia
Story behind Martin's Adventures Blog
Martin's Adventures started back in 2005 with a purpose to show the most stunning places in Czechia, while riding bikes, paddling rivers and climbing rocks. After speaking to thousands of guests on our trips we have realised that it is very hard if not inpossible to navigate the Czech outdoors on your own - simply because there is not enough reliable information in English online.
The fact you are planning a trip to Czechia means you’re either already smart or on the right path to becoming one.
Even though we make money by running guided tours (and there are so many good reasons to join one, to name one, meeting your local guide!), we understand that in some cases it just makes more sense to plan the trip all on your own. And exactly for this reason we have decided to build the most comprehensive guide to navigating the amazing Czech Republic outdoors for you, dear visitors of our beautifull country. Whether you’re still in research mode or already packing your hiking boots, this blog should make your planning easier and your trip more rewarding.
What’s worth seeing? What are the most popular activities and what’s just a tourist trap? Where is better to travel with a guide and where I'm just fine getting on my own? Can you get around without a car?
In case the above questions are challenges you are now dealing with, this guide is here to answer those questions and help you explore Czechia beyond the usual “Prague – Cesky Krumlov – bye” itinerary.
✅ We aim to:
Help DIY travelers discover lesser-known, amazing places in nature
Give you an advise on the best hiking day trips, coolest mountain biking areas, most popular multi day cycling routes and our favorite rock climbing locations
Offer useful advice on logistics, tools, and safety
And if you’re not a DIY type — remind you that we also run guided tours (yes, the commercial part!)
❌ What This Blog Is Not For:
If you’re looking for the top 5 places to eat in Prague, we’re not the right blog. We love Prague, but we also love fresh air, mossy trails, local microbrews, and places without souvenir shops
xy
Table of content
Cost, transportation, local maps | |
| |
Basic overview of the best outdoorsy areas in Czechia, regardless your preferred activity | |
Tips for hiking trips from short walks to multiday treks | |
| Learn why (and where) are Czechs obsessed with cycle touring and bikepacking |
| |
| |
|
1. Adventure toolkit
Before diving into specific areas, activities and tips for trips, here’s your basic “gear” for understanding and navigating the Czech outdoors.
Czechia's outdoor culture: the 3 concepts
To truly appreciate the authentic feel of the region, understanding three unique Czech concepts is essential:
Chatky (Cottages): Throughout the valleys and along the rivers, you will notice countless small, wooden cottages. These are often modest, family-owned weekend retreats, representing an important part of Czech recreation: escaping the city to spend time outdoors, typically involving gardening, grilling, and socializing in nature. This culture mainly dates back to the communist era, when borders were closed and housing was cheap. Current generation is hardly ever able to by a condo in a city so buying a weekend home is no longer an option today. But that is a whole other chapter!
Trampování (Czech Scouting Culture): While not exclusively tied to the Bohemian Paradise, the ethos of "trampování" is strongly felt here. This cultural phenomenon, which emerged in the 50', involves organized (but often informal) groups known as 'tramps' embarking on weekend excursions. Their philosophy is one of self-reliance, simple living, campfire camaraderie, and deep appreciation for nature and the outdoors. You can meet these groups even in the heart of Prague - on Friday afternoon waiting for a train to somewhere, on a Prague Main Train Station.
Vodáctví (Paddling/Boating Culture): Although the Sázava River, Berounka River and Vltava Rivers in other Czechia's regions are the most common picks for a day or a weekend paddling trip, Jizera River in the Bohemian Paradise also offers a rewarding half day trip. You can read more on Vodáctví (Paddling/Boating Culture) in a dedicated chapter.
🗺 Maps & other usefull apps
The most detailed outdoor map you’ll find for this country — and likely the world. Fully integrated with hiking and biking trails, including elevation, surfaces, and even beer gardens. Works offline too. Don’t even think of Google Maps.
🚉 Public Transport & self driving
You don’t need a car to explore Czechia. Well, it may be not that simple but in case you have enough courage it's definately a great option. Every single place in the country has least one connection every day. Many places will be a lot easier to get to with a car
IDOS.cz or Seznam’s transit planner – plan trains, buses, trams, everything, for desktop. Pubtran is the same version on mobile devices.
Trains go everywhere. Czechia has the most developed rail network in EU. Hikers and cyclists use them like ski lifts.
Cost and money
In case you're travelling from North America, Australia or Western Europe, you will find Czech Republic very cheap, especially when spending a good dose of time outside the capital. Expect to pay around 3 € for a glass of tasty beer, 10 € for a lunch meal and a drink, 7 € for a 90 min train in between major cities and 80 € for a well located twin room in Prague.
As long as you stay inside Prague, you will hardly ever need cash, although it's nice to have some to tip in restaurants - sometimes, staff can not accept tip on card. When travelling to rural areas, always bring some cash. The local currency is Czech koruna. You may often be able to pay €, but the conversion rate will be mostly very bad so we recommend paying in korunas. ATMs are widely available and mostly charge no fees.
Tipping is expected in restaurants and cafes, the right amount is about 10 - 20%. Tipping on tours is not a must but you always please your guide when tipping her/him about the same amount as in a restaurant.
Language
In case you're travelling from North America, Australia or Western Europe, you will find Czech Republic very cheap, especially when spending a good dose of time outside the capital. Expect to pay around 3 € for a glass of tasty beer, 10 € for a lunch meal and a drink, 7 € for a 90 min train in between major cities and 80 € for a well located twin room in Prague.
Tipping is expected in restaurants and cafes, the right amount is about 10 - 20%. Tipping on tours is not a must but you always please your guide when tipping her/him about the same amount as in a restaurant.
When to visit
In case you're travelling from North America, Australia or Western Europe, you will find Czech Republic very cheap, especially when spending a good dose of time outside the capital. Expect to pay around 3 € for a glass of tasty beer, 10 € for a lunch meal and a drink, 7 € for a 90 min train in between major cities and 80 € for a well located twin room in Prague.
As long as you stay inside Prague, you will hardly ever need cash, although it's nice to have some to tip in restaurants - sometimes, staff can not accept tip on card. When travelling to rural areas, always bring some cash. The local currency is Czech koruna. You may often be able to pay €, but the conversion rate will be mostly very bad so we recommend paying in korunas. ATMs are widely available and mostly charge no fees.
Tipping is expected in restaurants and cafes, the right amount is about 10 - 20%. Tipping on tours is not a must but you always please your guide when tipping her/him about the same amount as in a restaurant.
3. Where to go?
Imagine The Shire, but Czech. Rolling hills, dramatic sandstone cliffs, fairytale castle ruins, cozy villages, and no crocodiles. Seriously—the most dangerous animal you’ll encounter is probably a tick. We assume you will arrive to Prague (as 90% of travellers) and you wish to spend anything between two days and a week somewhere in the country, doing your favourite outdoor activity. Stretch your legs, meet the country from close, and avoid queues of any kind.
We structure our guide geographically to make the orientation easier:
3.1 Trips around Prague
Great for: Experiencing the Czech outdoor and nature while enjoying benefits of staying in Prague
You don't need to travel hours and spend hundreds of € on having an amazing adventure day trip from Prague. There are dozens of great day trips you can do from Prague using seamless and ridiculously cheap public transportation (mostly in less then one hour). Although there are many solely culture trips around the capital, our guide focuses on those offering at least a touch of adventure such as an e-bike ride, mountain biking or hiking trip. Don't worry - we always make sure to include a nice treat along the way such as a local craft brew, artisan ice-cream or a UNESCO castle. Some of the best adventure day trips around Prague include:
UNESCO Karlstejn Castle - amazingly preserved 16th century romas castle built by Charles the IVth. Undoubtly the most scenic cycling day trip from Prague concludes at the castle area (Martin's Adventures runs e-bike tours and MTB tours, both Self Guided and Guided). The best part is that you can cycle the distance entirely traffic free, when you slightly alter the official A1 cycle route! Just beyond the castle, on it's western end, lays the Bohemian Carst Natural Park - a great area for hiking and swimming in "swim holes".
Svatý Jan pod Skalou - lays in the heart of the Bohemian Carst Natural Park. You can plan a great hike starting from Srbsko along Svaty Jan, finishing at the Karlstejn Castle. All easily accessible by train from Prague (40 min one way).
Posázavská stezka Hiking Trail - Very scenic hike in an interesting canyon of the Sázava River. Take a train to Kamenný Přívoz and hike 11 kms (7 mi) one way to Pikovice from where you take a train back to the city (train stop Petrov u Prahy).
You can read more about mountain biking, cycling and canoeing around Prague in separate chapters.
Further reading on trips around Prague:
3.2 Bohemian Paradise
Great for: Wandering through sandstone spires, medieval castles, and trails less travelled
Welcome to the only Czech Republic’s UNESCO Geopark, a landscape sculpted by wind, water, and time, resulting in one of Europe’s most unique natural wonders: vast sandstone rock cities. The area features magnificent sandstone rock towers and huge boulders, creating deep, shaded ravines and spectacular high viewpoints. Unlike some of its crowded neighbours, the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) is a quieter, more authentic environment for active travelers.
It's not only the natural beauty that makes the area so attractive and unique. It's also the medieval castles and ruins, local pubs, Czech scouting and boating culture and last but not least, the Czech chata (cottage) culture.
Logistics: Getting there & away
All three main areas of Hrubá Skála, Malá Skála and Prachov are approximately 1 to 1.5 hours drive from Prague. In case you choose to use public transportation, these areas can be easily reached by a bus or train from Prague either to Turnov, Malá Skála or Jičín - the regional hubs. It's definately a DIY area for a day trip from Prague but keep in mind that connecting to backyard valleys and trailheads will require advanced level of planning and logistics. You can read more about getting places in the Adventure toolkit section.
Accessible Adventure: The varied terrain, which includes flat river valleys and challenging rock sections, offers activities suitable for different skill and fitness levels.
The Best Ways to Explore the Paradise (Activity Guide)
The diversity of the terrain means you can easily customize your experience.
1. Hiking & Trekking
Focus: Exploring the narrow passages of the rock cities and traversing hidden, peaceful valleys.
Highlights: Walking through the Hruboskalsko rock city, and discovering the unique rock reliefs and sculptures at Kopicův statek (a traditional 18th-century farmstead).
Tip for Avoiding Crowds: Instead of the main tourist loops, explore the lesser-known valleys and trails, such as those that lead to the rock reliefs or connect various villages.
Reward: Many trails connect to major viewpoints or offer unique stops, such as having lunch on the terrace of the Hrubá Skála Castle.
Difficulty: Generally low (Fitness Level 2/5 for day hikes).
2. Mountain Biking (MTB) & E-MTB
Focus: Riding fun trails, often over dirt, roots, and sandstone, with a focus on scenic cross-country (XC) and trail riding.
The E-Bike Advantage: E-mountain bikes make it possible to cover significant distances (30-40 km) and conquer the steep climbs to high viewpoints (like those overlooking Trosky Castle or Hrubá Skála) without extreme effort.
Terrain: Expect a mix of forest trails, open paths, and, depending on the route, some technical sandstone sections.
Potential: The area is a key destination for longer, multi-day MTB holidays.
3. Rock Climbing
Focus: Sandstone climbing is a long-standing tradition in this region, governed by specific rules and ethics that protect the soft rock formations (e.g., limitations on metal protection).
Highlights: The Prachovské skály (Prachov Rocks) and the main walls in Hruboskalsko are internationally known climbing destinations.
4. Canoeing (Nearby Rivers)
Focus: The region's rivers, such as the Jizera, offer a classic Czech "vodáctví" (paddling) experience, often combined with cycling or hiking nearby.
Recommendation for an Authentic Experience
For a deep exploration of the area, consider a multi-day trip. Staying in one location—a family-run guesthouse (penzion)—eliminates the need to pack and move daily, allowing you to relax after a long day of activity and focus on enjoying local cuisine and the tranquil nature. The region offers a quieter, less commercial atmosphere compared to the more frequently visited areas of the Czech Republic.
Area one - Great gor hiking, We believe travel should feel personal, not packaged. That country is best experienced quietly, on your own terms. That small groups, human guides, and unhurried moments matter more than landmark photo on a social feed.
Area two - Great gor biking. we believe travel should feel personal, not packaged. That country is best experienced quietly, on your own terms. That small groups, human guides, and unhurried moments matter more than landmark photo on a social feed.
3.3 Bohemian - Saxon Switzerland
Great for: XXXXXXXXXX
We believe travel should feel personal, not packaged. That country is best experienced quietly, on your own terms. That small groups, human guides, and unhurried moments matter more than landmark photo on a social feed.
Area one - Great gor hiking, We believe travel should feel personal, not packaged. That country is best experienced quietly, on your own terms. That small groups, human guides, and unhurried moments matter more than landmark photo on a social feed.
Area two - Great gor biking. we believe travel should feel personal, not packaged. That country is best experienced quietly, on your own terms. That small groups, human guides, and unhurried moments matter more than landmark photo on a social feed.
3.4 Mountain regions
Great for: XXXXXXXXXX
Yes, we have mountains. No, they’re not the Alps. But they’re just right for a good hike, great views, and a decent day of skiing in winter.
Czech mountains are lower than the Alps, but that’s exactly the point. You don’t need to climb 5 hours straight or get a gondola ride to get to the subarctic meadows on the upper plains. Most of the time, all you need is a decent pair of shoes, a windbreaker, and enough curiosity to keep going past the next bend.
They’re reachable by train or bus, well-marked, and packed with trails, meadows, forests, streams, and small lodges where soup is hot, beer is cold, and hutkeeper has always a story or two to share.
Giant Mountains (Krkonoše in Czech) - Great gor hiking, We believe travel should feel personal, not packaged. That country is best experienced quietly, on your own terms. That small groups, human guides, and unhurried moments matter more than landmark photo on a social feed.
Bohemian Forest (Šumava in Czech) - Great gor biking. we believe travel should feel personal, not packaged. That country is best experienced quietly, on your own terms. That small groups, human guides, and unhurried moments matter more than landmark photo on a social feed.
4. Hiking in Czechia
Czechia has one of the world’s most extensive and well-maintained trail systems. And it’s not a recent invention—it dates back to the 19th century.
Some cool facts:
43,000 kilometers of marked trails
1,360 volunteers maintain them yearly
59,000 hours of maintenance annually
48,000+ trail markers
Standardized by the Czech Standards Agency (yep, that’s a thing)
All trails are integrated into Mapy.com, so you can easily plan your own adventure based on distance, difficulty, and elevation. No need for paper maps unless you’re a romantic. Full info about the system here.
6. Mountain Biking in Czechia
While the Alps may boast staggering elevations, the Czech Republic offers something perhaps even more precious to a true rider: soul. Our mountains might be smaller in scale, but what they lack in raw altitude, they more than make up for in the meticulous quality of the riding experience.
Why Czech Trails are Different
The "secret sauce" of Czech mountain biking lies in the local communities. Unlike many massive Alpine bike parks where trails are often carved out by heavy machinery and excavators, the most iconic Czech trail networks (like the legendary Rychleby Trails or Trutnov Trails) are born from thousands of hours of manual labor.
Hand-Crafted Precision: Our trails are often built by groups of passionate volunteers and local trail-builders who understand the flow of the terrain. This means every rock, root, and turn is considered.
Maximum Efficiency: Because our hills are smaller, we don't waste a single meter of elevation. You’ll find that the trails are incredibly dense with features—technical granite sections, flowy loam, and clever North Shore elements—all packed into a landscape that feels intimate and alive.
The "Like a Local" Connection: Riding here isn't just about the descent; it's about being part of a vibrant, welcoming community that treats trail-building as an art form.
Official vs. unofficial trails
Just like in a number of places around the world, including North America, a good part of moutain biking happens on local, "secret" trails. Those are made by local riders, mostly on goverment land but without a formal permission from the local authorities. You may be asking yourselg right now: "Is it legal?" The answer is no. But! It's in most cases tolerated, when the local community respects basic non-written rules and tries to keep the trails "secret" from the general riding public.
It is not very easy to find these local, "secret trails" especially if you come to Czechia just for a few days.
7. Paddling in Czechia
Czechia has one of the world’s most extensive and well-maintained trail systems. And it’s not a recent invention—it dates back to the 19th century.
Some cool facts:
43,000 kilometers of marked trails
1,360 volunteers maintain them yearly
59,000 hours of maintenance annually
48,000+ trail markers
Standardized by the Czech Standards Agency (yep, that’s a thing)
All trails are integrated into Mapy.com, so you can easily plan your own adventure based on distance, difficulty, and elevation. No need for paper maps unless you’re a romantic. Full info about the system here.