The Two Blaníks

A train-to-train day over both Blaník hills: red waymarks from Domašín to Louňovice, the chapel ruin on Malý Blaník, the lookout tower on Velký, and a walk down through Kondrac to Vlašim.

From Prague the train takes you to Domašín with a change at Benešov u Prahy, and the walk ends at the Vlašim station on the same line. No car is needed at either end.

Domašín to Louňovice

From the Domašín stop, red waymarks lead south through open farmland and the hamlet of Nesperská Lhota, with Velký Blaník growing on the horizon most of the way.

The morning leg ends in Louňovice pod Blaníkem at the foot of the hill — a good lunch stop. Restaurace Pod Blaníkem fed us an average lunch.

Two Blaníks

From Louňovice an unmarked path climbs through Rytířská louka — the “Knights’ meadow” under Malý Blaník. The smaller hill is worth the detour: the ruin of St. Mary Magdalene’s chapel with the spruce growing out of its nave is a quiet, atmospheric spot.

Back on the green waymarks, the trail crosses to Velký Blaník and climbs to the summit. The lookout tower is very nice — and it has a small pub, so refreshments are available at the top of the climb.

Down to Vlašim

The descent continues through Kondrac, which has a decent pub for a late lunch or a beer, and field tracks carry you the last kilometres to Vlašim. Trains back to Prague run via Benešov u Prahy.