Easy walks (6 km to 11 km) from Kost via the Plakánek valley and Vesec
- A couple of excellent flat walks, starting at the impressive gothic castle of Kost, continuing along the attractive Plakánek and Prokopské valleys and visiting the villages of Střehom, Vesec u Sobotky and Libošovice, where there are some of the best examples of folk architecture (timbered houses) in the region
- The Plakánek valley has an informative nature trail and is of significant geological interest
- The first option is to walk the length of the Plakánek valley as far as Střehom and then return back to Kost on the same route – this is a 6km walk
- The second option is a circular route through the Plakánek valley, the villages of Vesec and Libošovice and the Prokopské valley – this totals 10.7 km
- The path along the Plakánek and (particularly) the Prokopské valley, although generally flat, can be very muddy and uneven at times, so this is not a recommended walk with a baby stroller
- Refreshments should be available in Střehom, Libošovice or at Kost
“Kost is the best preserved gothic castle in the region, and well worth a visit. A great addition to the castle visit is a stroll along the fascinating Plakánek valley, with its tall cliffs and marshy meadows, and then past the photogenic houses of Vesec and Střehom mill”
Directions
- Start and finish at the Kost car park. The castle of Kost is impressively situated on a sandstone outcrop, and is worth a visit either at the start or end of the walk
- From the car park, take the YELLOW trail (direction Sobotka)
- Follow the YELLOW trail through the attractive Plakánek valley (informative nature trail) past the Oborský rybník
- After 1.7km reach the signpost at Plakánek.Continue for a further 1.2km on the BLUE/YELLOW trail, past the 17th century Střehomský water mill, to reach the village of Střehom. Refreshments may be available at the Hospůdka u Zvoničky
- Return 1.2km back along the BLUE trail to reach the Plakánek sign. For the shorter (6km total) walk, return back to Kost on the YELLOW trail used for the outbound route
- For the longer (10.7km total) walk turn to the right (direction Vesec) staying on the BLUE trail
- After 2.2km reach the historic village of Vesec (some of the best folk architecture in the region)
- Continue on the BLUE trail to reach the village of Libošovice (possibility of refreshments here).
- Return to Kost along the RED trail, walking through the attractive Prokopské valley.