Valeč and the Doupov Rim

Three easy days along the south-eastern rim of the Doupovské hory: the castle brewery in Chyše, the Baroque showpiece of Valeč, and a Romanesque finish in Vroutek.

The walk starts at the Chyše railway station — from Prague the connection runs via Rakovník, with one change.

Day one — Chyše

There is no need to hurry off anywhere: Chyše itself fills the first afternoon, with the castle, its church and above all the castle brewery. Both the brewery and the restaurant were decent when I visited in 2017.

Day two — over the rim to Valeč

The middle day carries most of the climbing, as the route works north through Nahořečice and up onto the south-eastern rim of the Doupovské hory. The target is Valeč — the real highlight of the whole walk. The castle, the park with its Braun statues and the Baroque village around them deserve a long stop, not a pass-through.

Day three — down to Vroutek

The last leg leaves the hills eastward through Vesce and Vidhostice and ends in Vroutek, where the Romanesque church of St James is worth the final detour before the station. The train home runs through Žatec.