Discover Nature in Prague: Escape Boredom with a Scenic Walk in Prokop Valley!

Geological Rarity and Old Quarries

Once a wild area located far from the city center, Prokop Valley is now entirely surrounded by the modern buildings of Prague. When you plan your visit, this can actually work to your advantage. Starting from the Dalejský Brook Valley nature trail at Řeporyjského náměstí, you can expect a leisurely walk of about seven kilometers, mostly downhill, featuring sixteen informative stops about the natural attractions around you. The steep walls of Prokop Valley, which drop down to around 70 meters in certain areas, were explored by the famous paleontologist Joachim Barrande in the 19th century. Along the way, you’ll find intriguing features like caves, various karst formations, and numerous limestone quarries. Fortunately, these quarries have not significantly harmed the exceptional landscape; instead, they have added a unique charm to the area.

Geologists will particularly appreciate the starting point of the trail, known as the Dalejský Profile National Natural Monument. Here, limestone mining has uncovered rocks around 400 million years old within the walls of an old quarry. The Mušlovka quarry and the nearby Black and Red Quarry are also noted for their paleontological significance.

Playground and Former Swimming Pool

If you’re bringing children along on your outing, there are not only rest areas but also various fun activities to engage in, such as sand pits, slides, and climbing frames. A big playground awaits for young adventurers where a path called Do Klukovice branches off from the Prokopské údolí valley. Below a romantic rock amphitheater, there used to be a swimming pool that existed since the 1930s, known for somewhat resembling the swimming pool featured in Vančura’s Whimsical Summer. However, this attractive location had its drawbacks: shallow water, very cold temperatures, a stream that gradually became clogged with mud, and trees that shaded the grassy areas and beaches. The pool closed down in the 1960s, and hardly any evidence of it remains today.

Jaroslav Foglar Memorial Plaque

A short path leads up into the rocks just beyond the site of the old swimming pool. Here, you will find this brief trail that takes you to a memorial plaque (GPS 50.0386833N, 14.3636083E), which honors the legendary writer and scout leader, Jaroslav Foglar – Jestřáb. He began his lifelong journey in scouting here in 1920. The founder of the Czech Junák, A. B. Svojsík, followed in his footsteps shortly after, leading expeditions with Prague Two, which is the oldest operational Czech scout troop and has a remarkable history of over a century.

Butovice Hillfort

As you continue downstream along Dalejský brook, you’ll come across a signpost where the yellow hiking trail breaks off. This point also marks the start of the Prokopské údolí – Butovice nature trail, which takes you through breathtaking scenic viewpoints and leads to the Butovice fortress, an important archaeological site that shows evidence of ancient human settlement in the Prague basin. You can still see the outlines of fortifications and ramparts etched into the terrain. The trail wraps up in Stary Butovice, but the yellow signs will guide you further to the Jinonice metro station.

Who is Prokop Valley Named After?

Do you know the origin of the name Prokop Valley? It is named after St. Procopius; local lore tells that he lived as a hermit in one of the area’s caves, and a cross placed on a rock above the Dalejský Brook marks the spot where he was said to have stood. The Baroque church of St. Procopius once stood here but was lost not only due to quarrying at Prokop Quarry but also as a consequence of the Second World War. After the war, the military took charge of the church, but their neglect was so severe that it was demolished in 1966 due to safety concerns. Today, a new playground has been built in the area where the church once stood.

The Pond from the Movie Cinderella

One of the most stunning spots in Prokop Valley is a rock pond with crystal-clear water, measuring 106 meters long, 26 meters wide, and about ten meters deep. This pond was formed in a limestone quarry, and several benches line the shore for visitors to relax. Interestingly, it was featured in the film “The Cribs”: during a scene where a Public Security officer recounts how he shot a saboteur, a shot of the rock pond can be seen in the background as he states, “the order was clear: no man with a leather satchel may pass!”

Railway Romance

Toward the end of your journey, you will pass under the viaduct known as The Prague Semmering. This railway line ascends nearly 100 meters between Prague-Smíchov and Prague-Zličín. The first train traveled along this eight-kilometer line in 1872. The name “Semmering” comes from an Austrian rail line that traverses a mountain saddle connecting Lower Austria and Styria. Even today, romantic trains still run along the Prague Semmering, and nostalgic train rides remain a highly popular sightseeing experience. The smaller viaduct measures 92 meters in length and features five arches, crossing Hlubočepská Street at a height of 20 meters. Continuing along, you can find a more massive viaduct that extends 115 meters long and stands 25 meters high with seven stone arches. Beneath these structures runs another railway line, a pedestrian path, and the serene Dalejský brook.