Subway Escape to Nature: Your Ultimate Boredom Break!

The adventure with Kudy z z boredy to the beautiful forests just outside Prague is incredibly simple: hop onto the metro, and in no time, you’ll find yourself strolling beneath the trees, listening to chirping birds, foraging for mushrooms, or enjoying some playtime with your kids or dog. The metro whisks you across Prague in less than an hour, providing the best and quickest way to explore numerous delightful spots. Just pick a direction! Sustainable experiences, benefits of public transport, and often overlooked or unexplored locations are the key benefits of journeys from the From Prague in All Directions series.

South: the Kunratice Forest

The forest begins right at Roztyly metro station and is described by many names: Krčský, Michelský, Kunratice Forest, Kunraták, or Kunraticko-michelský forest. This is one of the largest and most beloved forests in Prague, attracting around 700,000 visitors each year. Close by, you will also find Chodov station, which leads you to the farthest eastern part of the forest on U Kunratického lesa Street, just about 400 meters away. This area is known as At the oak tree, home to an impressive summer oak that is nearly 250 years old. Krčák is a favorite spot for running, cycling, and walking with plenty of paths, gazebos, wells, springs, a lookout tower, the ruins of an ancient castle, and even a trail for wheelchair users. There are numerous playgrounds for kids, as well as a special area where you can see fallow deer and roe deer in an enclosure. With a bit of luck, you might even spot mouflons in the woods.

To the west: to the Prokop valley, Vidoula and Cibulka

While the metro doesn’t directly reach the Prokop Valley, simply get off at Radlická metro station and stroll down Výmolovou Street toward Dívčí Hrady. There, you’ll discover the Przevalský horse paddock, and crossing over Děvín hill takes you to the Hlubočepské fences and into the Prokopské valley. Not only does it boast stunning natural spots, but it also offers something for everyone: including a nature trail, playground, quarries, rocks, and rock outcrops. Movie enthusiasts can visit the lake where a scene from the film Cinderella was shot, scouts will discover a memorial plaque honoring Jaroslav Foglar, and beer lovers can stop by the Prokopák Brewery.

If you continue through the valley of the Dalejský brook past the Dalejský Profile National Natural Monument to Řeporyjí, you’ll have walked less than ten kilometers. You can shorten your return by taking the bus or walk the last two kilometers to the nearest Luka metro station located at the Lužiny housing estate.

Additionally, from Jinonice metro station, you can head north to the expansive nature park Košíře-Motol. This park is dominated by the table mountain Vidoule, but mainly protects historical parks, orchards, gardens, and homesteads in the Motolské and Košířské valley. Vidoule connects to Cibulka Park, featuring the Cibulka lookout tower and other charming buildings and ancient trees. Children will enjoy the playground, and there are also ponds. You can even take the train back to the city, as the railway station Praha-Stodůlky is conveniently situated right in the middle of the wooded Vidoula.

Northwest: Wild and Silent Sharka

Divoká Šárka is one of the largest parks in Prague, surrounded by forests and featuring numerous paths, streams, wells, rocky outcrops, viewpoints, an ancient hillfort, vast meadows, and a boardwalk. From Veleslavín metro station, it’s just a short walk of less than a kilometer to find the red-marked trail leading you through Šárecký valley, starting from the Džbán reservoir and moving to the Tiché Šárky and Jenerálka Chateau. Here you can walk or cycle, climb the rocks, and relax on the meadows. Kids will be delighted with the playgrounds, and visitors can explore a zoo and grab some refreshments at several spots. During summer, there’s even a swimming pool available right in Divoká Šárka.

North: Ďáblický háj

This sprawling forest park acts as a natural boundary for the town: from Ládví metro station, you can walk through the housing estate to Ďáblický Háj. Here, the northern edge presents a view into the open countryside leading towards Mělník. You’ll find many paved paths, forest trails, and several lakes, along with playgrounds for children. Be sure not to miss the Ďáblice observatory! Close by is the Ďáblická lookout, offering an unexpected panoramic view of the expansive region. The highest point of Prague on the right bank of the Vltava River is Ládví Hill, reaching an impressive altitude of 359 meters. In winter, when the snow covers the ground, Ďáblický háj becomes a favorite destination for cross-country skiers.

Southeast: Hostivařský lesopark

Simply take a stroll of about a kilometer from Háje metro station, and you’ll reach the shores of the Hostivařská Dam. This area is well-known for swimming, but more importantly, it is situated within a lovely forest and park. As in other locations, you will find scenic walking and biking paths, various fun elements for children, gazebos, and benches for relaxing. There are picnic areas with fire pits nestled in the woods, and a nature trail that meanders through the Botič river basin runs through the area. In the western part of the forest, you’ll also encounter a cherry orchard and a grove containing a zoo and a flooded quarry home to waterfowl.