Czech Castles and Country Walks

Fairytale castles built by feudal lords reign over the lush countryside and traditional villages of the Czech Republic. There’s hardly a better place in Europe for a journey built around country walks, and many of ours begin and end at wondrous castles. The medieval heritage of this vibrant nation is enchanting and beautifully intact in wonderful towns like Mikulov, a quintessential Moravian town of pale yellow Renaissance houses, and in tiny Telc, one of the best preserved 16th century towns in all Europe, which we first glimpse as we walk through the town gates at the end of a lovely hike. Three unforgettable days in seductive Cesky Krumlov, one of Europe’s Baroque treasures, and magical Prague cap off our journey.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Vienna, Austria / Moravia, Czech Republic / Palava

Meeting in Vienna, we drive to the Czech border and cross it on foot with a hike into the Czech Republic’s Moravian wine country, a lovely landscape of woodlands interspersed with orchards and vineyards. Gothic castles and grand Renaissance mansions dot the countryside here, and our first castle-to-castle hike brings us from the tower of a 10th century castle perched on a limestone crag through the Palava Highlands Nature Reserve to Divci Hrad, a haunting crag-top castle ruin.

Day 3
Castle Rostejn / Telc

Castle Rostejn is a Gothic apparition that seems to rise straight up from a dramatic rock outcrop. We hike cross-country from this striking castle through fields brightened with poppies and finish by walking through the arched gates of medieval Telc, a World Heritage Site. The town’s wedge-shaped main square is so perfect it looks like a stage set for one of Mozart’s operas, with Renaissance arcades and Gothic houses of subtle pastel colors.

Day 4
Telc / Slavonice

We hike through the forest highlands to Slavonice, a gem of a town with an intact medieval urban design, just a mile from the Austrian border.

Days 5-7
Cesky Krumlov / Sumava / Rozmberk

We hike in the foothills of the Sumava (Bohemian) Forest, one of the last wilderness regions in central Europe, and from Vyssi Brod, a serene 13th century Cistercian monastery, to the castle town of Rozmberk, built around the serpentine curves of the Vltava River. Overnights are in the stunning World Heritage town of Cesky Krumlov, with its dreamy pink and green castle towering above 15th century Renaissance and Baroque mansions.

Days 8-9
Prague

One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Prague abounds with delights. We enjoy a walk through the stunning Old Town, where 600 years of glorious architecture, from Renaissance to Cubist, is on display. Depart on Day 9, or extend your stay in Prague.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 2+, Easy to Moderate. It is an easy town and country walking tour consisting of day hikes of 2-5 hours over gently hilly terrain. You carry just a daypack. Our vehicle usually meets us at midday, bringing us either to a local restaurant, to the beginning of the next walk, or to another spot to explore. Our luggage is transported for us by van, so it is always possible to ride in the van if you want to opt out of a day's hiking.

Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 p.m.

Explanation of Trip Levels