Historically, the Lužnice Valley Trail has been an important route for trade and transportation, dating back to medieval times. It connected various settlements along the river, facilitating commerce and cultural exchange. Today, the trail is well-marked and maintained, providing you with a blend of natural beauty and historical landmarks. Along the way, you will see ancient castles, traditional Czech architecture, and serene riverbanks. The Lužnice Valley Trail not only offers a glimpse into the rich heritage of South Bohemia but also serves as a tranquil escape into nature.
Lužnice Valley Trail
Stezka údolím Lužnice
Hanka
Hanka’s love affair with hiking began on the other side of the world – in New Zealand! She lived and hiked there for a year, just a woman, her van, and a backpack! Now, she’s home in the Czech Republic where she became a new mom in 2022. She wants to show to other (future) mums that hiking with a baby is a new level of adventure! Her past trails include hiking thru New Zealand, Austra, Slovakia, Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland and Tenerife.
You can follow her on instagram @haniii_z
The Trail
The trail starts in the small south bohemian city of Planá nad Vltavou, and your first day has only 13 easy kilometers. You will see the villa and grave of the former president Beneš and the lookout tower Hylačka (from which you can see the whole area of Tábor). If you have time, you can also visit the Tábor Zoo. When you cross the Švehl Bridge, you’ll reach the historical town of Tábor. There you can visit the Hussite Museum or Kotnov Castle.
The second day of the trail leads you through a deep valley passing rocky sidewalks and a lot of old mills. The third stage leads you around the Lužnice to the Stádlec Chain Bridge. The only major climb you will face! After the climb, you can see the Church of the Virgin Mary and Dobronice castle ruins. Before you reach the center of Bechyně, you will be welcomed by the Bechyně waterfall and the rainbow bridge.
The last 15 kilometers of the trail are mostly along the river. Just before the Semenec lookout tower, you can visit the confluence of the Vltava and Lužnice rivers along the Yellow trail. Then the final town of Týn nad Vltavou is waiting for you.
Stages
There are four official stages of the trail, but if you’re feeling speedy, you can combine stages to make this into a weekend trip.
4-stage itinerary
Stage 1:
Planá – Tábor, 13 km | 8 mi
Stage 2:
Tábor – Lužničanka, 12 km | 7.5 mi
Stage 3:
Lužničanka – Bechyně, 15 km | 9.3 mi
Stage 4:
Bechyně – Týn nad Vltavou, 15 km | 9.3 mi
Photo gallery
Accommodations
When hiking this trail, you can stay in pensions, hotels, or campsites. You’ll need to book all accommodations in advance. On the first, third, and last days, you can stay in the cities of Tábor, Bechyně, and Týn nad Vltavou. There are plenty of hotels or pensions. On the second day, you can stay in the cottage or camp.
Stage 1:
Tábor: Apartments U Koček, Penzion Alfa
Stage 2:
Camping SALOON, Camp Stavorek
Stage 3:
Bechyně: Hotel Panská, Penzion u Pichlů
Stage 4:
Týn nad Vltavou: Penzion Plzeňka, Penzion pod Kostelem
Best time of the year
The best time of the year to hike the Lužnice Valley Trail is in summer from May to August. But if you want to have a trail without people, you can also choose spring or autumn. Since you can always sleep inside, you don’t have to worry about the weather. However, in spring or autumn, some sections may be waterlogged.
Safety & Gear
In case of an emergency, the partner app Záchranka will make it easier for you to call the rescue units.
As for packing, if the weather is rainy, pack waterproof socks because many sections run close to the river and can be wet. You’ll also need to carry cash with you since card readers are not always available.
Good to know
There is a taxi service along the route. The phone number to reach them is +420 603 213 119. Additionally, you can reach the start of the trail by train if you go to station Planá nad Lužnicí. You can find your train here.
Route
Point to point
Water resources
Restaurants/ shops
