We decided to take a little trip out of Prague. We headed north to Říp, the legendary hill. According to Czech history, Praotec Čech (the Grandfather of Czech people) first looked out from here and declared this land home. It sounded like the perfect half-day escape from the city.

Getting There

Říp is about 40 km from Prague, so it took us just under an hour by car. There’s a parking lot at the foot of the hill (paid, and it can fill up on weekends). From there, the trail to the top is about 3 km. It’s not overly long, but it does get a bit steep in places — nothing extreme, but you’ll definitely feel it in your legs if you’re not used to walking uphill.

The Hike Up

This was actually our very first hike with our 5-year-old daughter, so we set off with a little bit of fear that we’d end up carrying her half the way. But she surprised us — she managed completely fine on her own, and even seemed to enjoy the challenge. For us, it was a big relief and also a proud moment.

The trail itself winds through the forest, and it took us about 45 minutes at a comfortable pace. There are benches along the way if you need a short break (though our little hiker didn’t ask for one!).

At the Top – Soup, Beer, and a View

Reaching the summit felt rewarding, and the first thing we did was head to the hut. The menu isn’t fancy, but exactly what you’d expect on a mountain top: simple, hearty dishes. We went for cabbage soup and a beer — nothing has ever tasted better after a climb!

The Chapel and VR Glasses

Right next to the hut stands the rotunda of St. George, one of the oldest Romanesque chapels in Czechia. It was quiet and peaceful inside. Next to it, though, was something completely different: VR glasses that let us see above the treetops. Suddenly we had a panoramic 360° view over the entire landscape, as if we were floating above the mountain. A surprisingly fun and modern contrast to the ancient chapel.

Walking Around the Summit

Before heading back down, we took a walk around the top to the viewpoints. Even without VR, the views stretched far — fields, villages, and the Elbe River winding its way through the countryside. It reminded me how special Říp is: not the highest peak, but standing alone, it really dominates the landscape.

Heading Back

The walk down was, of course, much quicker (about 30 minutes). By the time we reached the car, we felt like we’d had a proper little adventure without leaving central Bohemia. We also gained the bonus confidence that family hikes are definitely possible for us now.

Practical Tips

• Distance from Prague: ~40 km, 40–50 minutes by car
• Parking: Paid lot at the foot of the hill, fills up quickly on weekends
• Trail length: Around 3 km one way (6 km round trip)
• Time needed: 45 minutes up, 30 minutes down
• Difficulty: Moderate — short but with a steady incline
• Food: Mountain hut at the top (soups, sausages, beer, snacks)
• With kids: Totally doable — our 5.5-year-old walked the whole way on her own