Vrátkov

Vrátkov is an appealing starting point for anyone who wants to combine routes through the countryside, small cultural monuments and nature experiences. The village lies along several routes that offer different ideas for excursions: from a tourist route and cycling routes to a green-marked hiking trail.

Routes around Vrátkov

A tourist route and a cycling route run from Tismice via Vrátkov to the Šembera and onward to Tuchoraz. Cycling Route 8206, following the Babice–Doubek–Zahrady route, runs along the edge of Vrátkov. Those who want to compare different types of routes can also use a green-marked hiking trail connecting Mrzky, Tismice, Vrátkov and Tuchoraz.

Ekocentre and practical directions

A clear destination on site is the Vrátkov Ekocentre. It can be reached by car, bicycle and on foot. With PID bus route 491, get off at the Doubravčice, rozcestí Vrátkov stop and then walk approximately 800 metres along a forest path. Alternatively, bus route 435 runs between Český Brod and Říčany; from Vrátkov, a signposted forest path of approximately 3 kilometres leads to the Ekocentre. If you want to travel without driving the entire way, you can use two bus routes and then forest paths of approximately 800 metres or 3 kilometres, respectively.

Šembera Valley, pond and floodplain

The Podviniční pond lies in the Šembera Valley. The Vrátkov Ekocentre is surrounded by a species-rich forest and the floodplain of the Šembera stream. Recreational and tourist use of the area is mainly connected with the Šembera Valley. When choosing a destination, therefore, the focus is less on individual sights than on the combination of water, forest, floodplain landscape and paths.

Small monuments with a history of their own

North of the village, on the road to Český Brod, stands the Vrátkov Cross. It dates from 1874 and was erected at the expense of the married couple Václav and Kateřina Miškovských from Vrátkov. The stone bell turret in Vrátkov bears an inscription stating that it was erected in 1820 at the expense of the honourable municipality of Wratkow. Both structures provide a historical connection for exploring the area around the village, without the need for a large complex of sights.

Nature-related events at the Ekocentre

The Ekocentre has also hosted special educational programmes. On 31 August 2024, the “International Bat Night” was held there for the third time as a public educational event. The programme included information about bats, a presentation of live injured bats and an evening excursion with detectors to a nearby meadow. On 21 September 2025, the Ekocentre hosted “Mushroom Day” as a guided forest walk with mycologist Michal Plundra. Edible, inedible and poisonous mushrooms were presented during the event. The two dates show the different themes that can be combined with a stay in Vrátkov.

Other places for planning your trip

If you would like to compare Vrátkov with other places, you can find MrzkyMrzky, ŽehuňŽehuň, LipecLipec, RadimRadim, Klášterní SkaliceKlášterní Skalice, KonároviceKonárovice, ToušiceToušice and VrbčanyVrbčany here.

For the broader travel overview: Kolín District.