Roztoky: Whitewater Slalom, Hiking Trails and Nature on the Berounka

Roztoky offers several ways to experience the Berounka landscape: whitewater slalom and riverside recreation go hand in hand with the U Eremita nature trail through protected woodland and rocky areas. Hiking trails, a viewpoint and the footpath to Křivoklát Castle round out the options.

Roztoky facts at a glance

• The slalom course is 250 m long, including 180 m of artificial slalom course.
• About 45 gates are available for training; access is subject to operating regulations.
• The U Eremita nature reserve protects woodland communities, yew trees on rocky scree slopes and an active calcareous tufa area.
• The U Eremita nature trail is a moderately difficult footpath that illustrates the diversity of characteristic trees and shrubs through 35 species.
• KČT Route 0001 passes through Roztoky and is 202.5 km long.
• The Areál u jezu on the Berounka offers opportunities for picnicking, swimming and sports activities.

Water and recreation on the Berounka

The slalom course in Roztoky is 250 m long, of which 180 m is artificially constructed. About 45 gates are available there for training. Access to the facility is subject to operating regulations. The training course is therefore a distinct attraction for sports enthusiasts; for other riverside experiences, head to the Areál u jezu on the Berounka.

The Areál u jezu offers opportunities for picnicking, swimming and sports activities. This makes it possible to plan time by the river independently of whitewater slalom. From Roztoky railway station, a well-maintained path follows the river, passing the canoe slalom channel and continuing to the Areál u jezu. As trail conditions may change, it is advisable to check the current situation before setting out.

U Eremita: woodland, nature trail and geology

The U Eremita nature reserve protects natural woodland communities, including an abundance of yew trees on rocky scree slopes, as well as an active calcareous tufa area. The landscape around Roztoky is also shaped by wooded hills and the Berounka’s deep, rocky valleys.

The U Eremita nature trail begins on the road from Roztoky to Karlova Ves, at the mouth of the Klučná stream where it meets the Berounka and near a vaulted bridge. This moderately difficult footpath illustrates the diversity of tree and shrub species characteristic of Křivoklátsko through 35 species. Nature enthusiasts will find both a protected area with distinct habitats and a trail with a botanical focus.

The U Eremita geological site is also located along this stretch of the river: on the right bank of the Berounka between Branov and Roztoky, approximately halfway along the nature trail and west of the Klučná mouth. It is designated as a geotourism attraction, or geotope. Its description includes a calcareous spring and Quaternary calcareous tufa formations at a tectonically defined contact between andesites of the Křivoklátsko-Rokycany Belt and Neoproterozoic shales. In addition to the nature trail, U Eremita therefore offers a point of geological interest.

Hiking trails and destinations around Roztoky

The “Kaňonem Berounky za eremitem” route, described by AOPK, starts and ends at a car park in Roztoky near the slalom channel. Trail conditions may vary, so take this into account when planning. The red hiking route of the Czech Tourist Club (KČT), Route 0001, is on a different scale: it passes through Roztoky, is 202.5 km long in total, and runs from Zvíkovec along the Berounka, Vltava and Sázava to the Vysočina Region. This gives you two distinct options: a hike that begins and ends in Roztoky, and a long route linking several rivers.

A nearby destination, Na Babě, has a developed viewpoint on a rocky ridge overlooking Roztoky and the Berounka, reached by a well-marked hiking trail. An approximately 2 km footpath from Roztoky also leads via the Paraplíčko viewpoint to Křivoklát Castle. When planning an outing, you can choose between nature watching, river views and a walk to the castle.

Roztoky as a starting point for finding accommodation

When considering a specific listing, compare its stated location with the destinations you plan to visit.

Discover more destinations: Chotěšov, Milý, Mšecké Žehrovice, Krakovec, Krakov, Pochvalov, Václavy, Kolešov.

Frequently asked questions about Roztoky

How do the U Eremita nature trail and KČT Route 0001 differ?

U Eremita is a moderately difficult nature trail that introduces characteristic trees and shrubs of Křivoklátsko through 35 species. KČT Route 0001, by contrast, is 202.5 km long, passes through Roztoky and follows the Berounka, Vltava and Sázava to the Vysočina Region. The routes differ both in the nature trail’s focus on natural history and in the scale of the longer route.

For the wider travel overview: Rakovník District.