Z Mníšku na Karlštejn

On this route, you become pilgrims of a distant past. Although you cycle just 40 km and conquer an elevation gain of 1 km, you will still pass through many centuries. You start at Mníšek Castle, where you are transported to the year 1656, when its foundations were laid. Upon arrival at Karlštejn, you instantly find yourself 308 years back, during the reign of Charles IV, who began building the castle here. After cycling a few more kilometers, you jump 344 years ahead and reach the end of the 17th century, at the pilgrimage church of St. Mary Magdalene in Skalka.

From Mníšek Castle, follow the green cycle tourism sign. It leads you through Stříbrná Lhota to the crossroads Na Rovinách, past the woodland restaurant U Dernerů, to the next crossroads Na Soudném. Here, turn right and at the next intersection exchange the green cycle tourism sign for a green hiking sign towards Halouny. The next section is suitable for fans of more challenging terrain. A more comfortable route to Haloun goes right on the forest asphalt path cycle route no. 8130. From Haloun, continue along the yellow hiking sign (initially an asphalt road) towards Zadní Třebáň. Be careful, after about 1 km the yellow turns left onto a field path – easy to overlook. In Zadní Třebáň, behind the railway station, you cross a footbridge to the other side of the Berounka River. Then you enter Hlásná Třebáň. Keep following the yellow hiking sign, which will lead you all the way to below Karlštejn Castle. On this section, you will warm up a bit climbing the hill, but then you can rest on a beautiful meadow with an even more beautiful view of the castle. You'll see it was worth the effort. Karlštejn Castle was built between 1348–1357 and was intended to serve as a safe place for storing the Czech coronation jewels. Its founder was the Czech king and Roman emperor Charles IV. The castle is a national cultural monument. In the town below the castle, there is a Nativity Scene Museum and a Wax Figure Museum. Cycling is prohibited in the pedestrian zone and on the castle grounds, which the municipal police strictly enforce. There are many souvenir shops and several restaurants. Don't overdo the food, as two long hills await you on the return journey. The first starts just after Karlštejn. Take the forest path on the red hiking sign towards Mořinka and Karlík. In Karlík, you leave the forest path to the right onto the road that leads you to Dobřichovice. In Dobřichovice, on the site of a former fortress, a castle with a chapel was built in the 16th century, which was rebuilt in Baroque style after a fire in 1779. You will find it on the left bank of the Berounka River near the bridge. The cycling trail along the Berounka River will take you to Lety, where immediately after the bridge, turn left. After a few dozen meters, there is a railway underpass. The asphalt road turns right, but you continue straight ahead on a path between the cottages and further into the Brdy forests. Here, you follow a sign shaped like a yellow triangle, which will lead you up to the Brdy ridge at the crossroads U Šraňku. Here you join the blue cycle tourism sign towards Skalka – Mníšek p. Brdy. After a pleasant forest ridge route, you will reach the pilgrimage area of Skalka. Let yourself be invited to this remarkable place by the words of Mr. P. L. Stojdl, superior of the Franciscan hospice in Skalka near Mníšek, as recorded in his book in 1924: 'I also regret the numerous tourists who came to visit the memorial places in Skalka when I see how, looking at the beauty all around, they feverishly devour those few lines, which are mostly quite wrong, in their tourist guides to learn something about this enchanting surroundings. Unable to satisfy their desire, they turn to the guide. How gladly would he tell them everything; after all, everything about "Skalka" is so interesting and its history so touching... On this enchanting hill of the Brdy range at 518 m elevation, Baron Servác Ignác resolved to build a monument to his family, as he could not leave descendants: a chapel dedicated to the great penitent Mary Magdalene, based on the model of the magnificent church in Marseille, France... The construction started in 1692 by builder Dienzenhofr and was completed in 1693 with the help of the reliable carpenters of Mníšek: Jan Rektorys and Benedikt Spiner.'

Excerpts from the book "Skalka u Mníšku – její památky a dějiny" by P. L. Stojdl.

Here you can calmly enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful spot and take advantage of the hospitality of the local refreshment hut. There's no hurry, Mníšek is just a short distance away and mainly downhill.