New English-friendly book helps hikers conquer Czechia's most epic trail

As the days slowly get longer and warmer, the hiking season in Czechia is returning. And now, anyone who wants to attempt the Czech Republic's greatest trail has a new, comprehensive English-language resource to do so.

Author and seasoned hiker Martin Úbl has released an English guidebook detailing the 1,200-kilometer route he established that traverses the country’s mountains and countryside. 

Inspired by the Pacific Coast Trail and Canada's Great Divide, Cesta Českem (the Czech Trail) aims to connect hikers with the Czech landscape via 20 sections that trekkers can take on separately or combine into a multi-week hike. 

The guide is for both seasoned hikers and novices alike: as noted on the book’s front page: “Anyone can do it.”

Úbl’s book provides invaluable history and insights to help both local and global visitors experience this emerging hiking opportunity that highlights the country's lesser-known peaks and villages. He wrote the guide in Czech three years ago – it became so popular that an English version simply had to follow.

The book divides the trail into 20 separate sections, including Český les (Bohemian Forest), Bílé Karpaty (White Carpathians), and the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains). 

Each chapter in the book provides an overview of each scenic area in Czechia, and briefs you on the type of paths to take, the total ascent, expected duration, what to expect, any notable sights and views to take in (the book includes beautiful pictures), and transport options for the return. 

What is especially notable is that all the route’s stages can either be done separately or combined into a multi-week hike, Úbl notes. It takes around 40 full days to complete the entire hike – this is a challenge that can be spread out over months or even years.

If you’re based in Prague, have one or two days spare, and you’d like to sample some of the trail, Martin recommends the Adršpašské mountains and part of the Broumovska highlands, as it’s easy to find accommodation (either camping or in a hotel when the are open), the route isn’t very demanding, and it’s easily accessed.

Úbl also jokingly cites 10 “undisputed commandments” of hiking in Czechia and its inherent inevitabilities, including: “Whatever you do need, it’s always at the bottom of your bag,” and “If you want a peaceful night’s sleep, you’ll have to eat all the dogs in the neighborhood for dinner.”

The book provides some very useful tips for planning the trip, from useful Czech phrases to break the ice “Dobrý den, jdu Stezku Českem” (“Hello, I’m walking the Czech Trail”), a free-to-use emergency app in case you become lost (named Záchranka), the international FarOut app for hikers, and Facebook groups.

When it comes to picking one item a hiker “should never leave home without” Úbl says that it all comes down to where you want to sleep. “If you want to use hostels and hotels, then you don’t need much, but if you want to do it on your own, you’ll need more gear. But the ‘Big Three’ are always clear: shoes, backpack, and tent.”

Úbl says he got inspiration for writing the book from trekking in the Canadian Rockies, which is around 1,200 kilometers long. Already existing routes – based on a color to distinguish difficulty – helped form the basis for creating his idea. 

The 150-page book also offers personal accounts and experiences of the trails, with people who have braved the elements, run out of food, and faced rogue Czech wildlife after sunset. Some tales are interesting, others funny – all will offer some practical advice for taking on this epic trail.