It’s not Srbsko like Srbsko (engl. Serbia)
A two-day boat trip on the Berounka River from Nižbor to Zadní Třebáň with an overnight stay in Srbsko awaits you. Don’t buy a Czech-Serbian dictionary and instead pack your tent and sleeping bag. They‘ll be much more useful to you. You won’t find this Serbia in the Balkans. During the boat trip you will enjoy nature, culture, gastronomy and several (un)passable weirs. Boating navigation will tell you where to sail down the river and where it is better to carry the boat. You will sail a total of 22 kilometres along one of the laziest Czech rivers.
DAY 1: The hard part for your muscles
The first part of the boat trip will make you sweat a lot, so an evening of relaxation and reward will come in handy. Nižbor is famous for the Rückl glassworks, where they not only produce statues of the Bohemian Lion, but also the Baroque castle presenting Celtic culture and the stylish restaurant of actor Tomáš Hanák. See? You haven’t even set sail yet and you don’t know what to do. In Nižbor, start below the reservoir. A wooden trolley, every paddler’s best friend, will help you cross it, so don’t forget to return it. And then set sail for Hýskov. The river above the weir is a popular swimming spot here. So watch out for peeking and submerged heads, lest your trip ends before it begins. You better get off the ship and divide your tasks up with the crew. Someone carries the boat while others go to stand in line at the stand with Hýskovská ice cream. At the end of Hýskov, get off the boat once more and visit the birthplace of the writer František Nepil.
In Beroun you will have one last difficult weir, which is not navigable, and the dry route will not be easy for the Sherpas of your crew. After such demanding weirs, it definitely requires a recharge of the batteries. For a proper meal pop into the city centre and, while you’re there, check out the sights. There are plenty of possibilities.
The last part of today’s boat trip is only 5 kilometres long and ends in Srbsko (Serbia, but not in the Balkans, in the Czech Republic). Just beyond the royal town, the Tetín Rocks greet you on the right, where the mythical Tetín, a pilgrimage site with a unique genius loci, is hidden. Do you have any strength left? You can conquer Tetín, but be prepared for a long hike along the unmarked path along the Tetín waterfall. Just a little further downstream the wall of the Alkazar quarry looms up on the left, attracting climbers and mystery hunters.
DAY 2: Finally weirs you don’t have to go around
Your crew has covered about 14 kilometres so far, so this section with passable weirs (finally!) will be a piece of cake. Plan your first stop at Karlštejn, dominated by the royal castle of the same name. Stroll through the town, have an audience with the castle lord and let the little ones kiss the spirit of Christmas in the Museum of Nativity Scenes. When you leave Karlštejn, keep an eye out for the local boat trip line. A small motor boat takes tourists to the weir and back. You have an advantage over them. Your hull may need hand propulsion, but you can enjoy your first passable weir with it. The romantic Hotel Mlýn Karlštejn with a restaurant is situated next to it. It’s a bit of a luxury, so if you’re more into something quick to hand, stop by Hugo foodtruck in Hlásná Třebáň.
A few more paddle strokes and you’re in the harbour of the Ostrov camp, the destination of your two-day journey on the water. Another crafty reward is prepared in the neighbouring Bobr (beaver) Microbrewery. So buy yourself a bottle to cool your throat when you’re at home telling your neighbours what you’ve experienced on the Berounka.
