Where can you go for a run around Smíchov?
In the Smíchov and Radlice areas, you can go for a run along the Vltava River, even on hillier terrain. From OREA Hotel Andel’s and OREA Hotel Angelo, you can easily reach the riverfront, Petřín, Dívčí hrady, Vidouli and Cibulka. After your morning run, you can then enjoy breakfast right at the hotel.
The riverfront: a classic route along the Vltava
The Rašín Embankment is one of Prague’s most popular running routes. You can run in either direction, towards Charles Bridge or towards Žluté Lázně. The surface is tarmac and flat, and you’ll encounter the fewest people here in the morning.
The Rašín Embankment connects to the A2 Vltavská cycle route, which continues along the Podolské Embankment past the Podolská Waterworks, under the Barrandov Bridge all the way to Braník and Modřany, from where it leads on to Zbraslav.
Where does the Petřín running route lead?
Petřín is also a popular running spot in the Smíchov area. The peaceful paths amongst the orchards and meadows at the top of the hill offer views of the city, whilst the long Petřín Steps from Vlašská Street will put your fitness to the test during challenging runs and interval training. The Petřín slope on these steps has an elevation gain of approximately one hundred metres. The hill itself reaches an altitude of 326 metres and lies between Malá Strana and Smíchov.
Dívčí hrady and Vidoule: the green hills above Radlice
The Dívčí hrady nature reserve lies directly between Radlice and Smíchov, practically next door to both the OREA Hotel Andel’s and the OREA Hotel Angelo. The network of gravel paths in the area stretches for approximately 3.8 kilometres; the terrain is flat and partly runs through woodland. A short distance further on, towards Košíře and Jinonice, you’ll find Vidoule Nature Park, a hillier area with footpaths and views over Prague.
Cibulka and the Košíře Circuit: a forest trail with three hills
In Košíře, near the ‘U lesíka’ public transport stop within the Cibulka Park grounds, begins the so-called Košířský okruh, a route approximately 4.5 kilometres long, which running clubs also use for races. It follows forest paths and trails with several short but steep climbs.
Where to stay in Smíchov
The OREA Hotel Angelo and OREA Hotel Andel’s are situated in an attractive part of Prague’s Smíchov district, just a few minutes’ walk from each other. Thanks to their excellent access to the city’s parks, the river embankment and other popular running routes, they are the ideal choice for guests who want to stay active during their stay.
Practical information
All locations are accessible all year round and free of charge. In the case of the riverbank and Petřín Hill, you should expect crowds of tourists.
Rašín Embankment was created during the redevelopment of the former Podskalí district in the early 20th century. The massive embankment walls, completed in 1910, protected the city from flooding and created a space used for unloading timber, sand and ice from boats. Today, the embankment is one of Prague’s favourite spots for walks, cultural events and jogging along the river. The route is flat, but it runs along cobblestones and tends to be busy during the day.
Petřín is a prominent hill in Prague situated between Malá Strana, Smíchov and Hradčany, known primarily for its observation tower and extensive complex of orchards and gardens. Runners make use of the quieter paths in the upper section as well as the steep climbs from Malá Strana. The paths and steps leading from the upper end of Vlašská Street, which continue towards the observation tower, offer a more challenging workout.
The Dívčí Hrady Landscape Park lies on a plateau above Radlice, on the edge of the Prokop Valley. It consists of extensive meadows, fruit tree-lined avenues, small wooded areas and a network of paths. To the south, it borders the Ctirad Natural Monument, notable for its geological outcrops and sites containing Palaeozoic fossils. Joachim Barrande also studied the area, and it is said that some of the earliest finds that caught his attention came from here. Runners should expect a fairly steep climb on the way from Radlice, but at the top they can continue along gentler paths with unobstructed views of Prague.
Vidoule is a tabular mountain situated between Jinonice, Košíře and Motol, with a summit reaching an altitude of 371 metres. Old quarries on its slopes reveal layers of claystone and sandstone, whilst the summit plateau consists of marl, marlstone and marly limestone. The site is also an important location for fossilised plants and marine bivalves. Three separate sections of the slopes are protected as the Vidoule Natural Monument. Runners will find open paths on the plateau as well as more rugged trails with ascents and views of Prague.
Cibulka Forest Park in Košíře surrounds a historic estate purchased in 1817 by Leopold Leonard Thun-Hohenstein, the former Bishop of Passau. He transformed it into a summer residence and had the surrounding grounds landscaped in the style of an English park, featuring romantic structures and sculptures. In the upper part of the park stands a 13-metre-high stone observation tower, which is open to the public. Runners can combine the wider forest paths and footpaths to create circuits of varying lengths with several inclines. The 4.5-kilometre Cibulka–Košíř Circuit race route also runs through the park, although it is not a permanently marked route.
