Don't let the summer pass by without enjoying an extended weekend canoeing in the Czech Republic! Czechia offers romantic rivers for both lazy touring on flat waters and more adventurous ones in faster rapids. No matter what river you choose, river valleys will keep your senses engaged throughout the whole journey. Here's what you need to know about the canoeing in the Czech Republic.
Canoeing Sázava River | photo credit: martina
Best Rivers for Canoeing in Czechia
& What You Should Know about It
Trees bending over the water surface, blue kingfishers finding their way to the river bank burrows, herons waiting still for their fish prey, all these beautiful views reveal only when #canoeing or kayaking.
Czech rivers are ideal for canoeing, and many Czechs never miss the opportunity to spend a weekend or so canoeing on one of the rivers. Rivers meander through beautiful nature, pass beneath fairytale castles, and bring you to truly spectacular historic towns that almost certainly make you debark at least for a few hours.
If you decide to explore canoeing in Czechia, here are some handy tips for your afloat journey.
Křivoklád Castle on Berounka River | photo credit: Pixabay.com
How to Rent a Canoe
Canoe rentals are available on every river. They provide you with all necessary equipment including plastic barrels and life vests. Most of the popular rivers are not technical and can be done on an open boat.
Canoe rentals bring your boats to the starting point of your journey and pick them up at your destination. They can give you handy tips on the water level as well as actual navigability of the river.
I recommend to rent a canoe in advance esp. when you are planning to go canoeing over the weekend.
In recent years, rentals have been providing canoes that are made of plastic. These are heavier, but practically unbreakable. Canoes are best way how to navigate the Czech rivers. Some people like to rent inflatable canoes or rafts. However, these are slower and you need to paddle harder.
You do not need any special licence to paddle the rivers.
Canoeing Lužnice River | photo credit: martina
What to Eat While on Canoeing Trip
All in all, the areas along the rivers are well developed in terms of camping sites and restaurants. Some rivers have better infrastructure than others.
Grocery shops are much worse to find. There are some shops, usually in the villages along the river, but opening hours are limited.
Before you set out on the journey, make sure you have some food supplies. Even though drinking water is always available in the camping sites and restaurants, put some extra water bottles in your canoe for the trip.
photo credit: karel
Get Yourself Ready for Camping
If you happen to be planning for a canoeing trip on one of the Czech rivers, then packing basic camping gear like tent, air mats and sleeping bag is a must. Generally, there are not many opportunities to stay in hotels.
Staying in the camp is also a great opportunity to become part of canoeing community. Canoeist get together in the evening, sit by the fire, tell stories, sing songs, roast sausages and drink beer.
Merging yourself into the community should be one fun activity not to miss!
Camping Site on Sázava River | photo credit: martina
What River Trip to Choose
Before you decide on the exact location, you will need first to determine which river is best suited to your ability. In general, the Czech Rivers are not - in most parts - technical, however, in cases like high waters in the early spring some of them might get more challenging.
No matter what river you choose, check the water levels before you go. There are rivers such as Berounka, Vltava and Ohře that have enough water throughout the whole season. On the other side, rivers like Lužnice or Sázava are impassable at low water level.
Some rivers run through picturesque historical towns and castles such as Ohře, Berounka and Vltava. Others are more hidden from civilization such as Lužnice and Sázava.
Sázava River | photo credit: pixabay.com
Pass Through the Weir or Get Yourself Ready for a Portage
While canoeing on the Czech rivers, it is common to meet weirs. Passing through weirs is often the most challenging part of the trip. The best recommended passage is usually well marked, but it is always better to check it out first.
Some weirs can be very dangerous and not passable. If that is so, there are signs that let you know about it. If you are not sure that you can make it, there is always a possibility to do a portage on the river bank.
Before going down the weir I recommend you to tie firmly the barrels and all the loose things to the boat - just not to lose your stuff in case you don't make it dry or flip over.
Weir on Vltava River, Český Krumlov | photo credit: pixabay.com
Canoeing Czech Rivers with Kids
Canoeing with #kids can be really fun, especially when you see them enjoying the smallest things like dragon flies touching the boat, washing hands in a swift stream, or playing on the small sandy beaches while having a short break.
All rivers in the Czech Republic can be great for kids. You will meet families everywhere. However, I recommend you to do some homework before you go to make sure that it will be a great experience for all of you.
Choose the location according to your experience and skills, rent kid's life jackets and funny small paddles, bring enough goodies with you on board, sun hats and enough sun cream.
I chose the Lužnice river for my daughter's first canoeing trip when she was three years old. I rented an inflatable canoe so that she could have a comfortable nap when tired.
On our way, I picked up some stuff for her to play with, such as small tree branches, pebbles, and leaves. These turned quickly into amazing toys!
Lužnice has sandy riverbed with plenty of small beaches along the way which makes it easier to keep kids entertained, have breaks when necessary, go for a walk or take a bath in cool water.
Pálava Inflatable Canoe on Lužnice River | photo credit: martina
The Vltava River: A Mecca for Czech Canoeists
#Vltava is the Czech national river and paddling Vltava is almost a summer ritual for many Czechs. It is the longest river in the Czech territory and you have probably heard its name before because it runs through the capital city of Praha.
It is the most popular river among Czech canoeists and you will meet the rafts on this river as well.
If you have decided to go canoeing on the Vltava river, you are in for an incredible adventure. The river flows through woodlands, meadows and medieval towns such as #Rožmberk nad Vltavou and Český #Krumlov.
It offers six day trip stretching from the small town of Lenora to the village of Boršov nad Vltavou.
Canoeists usually start in Vyšší Brod, however the most beautiful part starts upstream at the Soumarský Bridge and snakes its way through the #Šumava National Park.
Canoeing on the territory of the National Park is possible only with a permit from the National Park Authority. So if you decide to canoe this particular part of the river, make sure you register here.
Vltava river has enough water throughout the whole year and it can be really crowded during the peak season. It is a river for lazy touring with some nice rapids and passable weirs on the way. The first weir is located in Vyšší Brod.
Vltava river has very good infrastructure in terms of canoe rentals, restaurants and camping sites. If you go canoeing for the first time in Czechia, I would certainly recommend Vltava river.
Vltava River in Český Krumlov | photo credit: pixabay.com
The Lužnice River and its secrets
#Lužnice is a beautiful river in South Bohemia and its eight-day canoe trip stretches from Suchdol nad Lužnicí to Bechyně. It runs through meadows, rural countryside and woodlands. It will also take you to the historic towns of #Třeboň, #Tábor or Bechyně which are all worth visiting for their historical sites.
The river provides flat waters for lazy paddle, however, the meanders of the upper stream from Suchdol to Majdalena can be really challenging at high waters. The river is very narrow there, willows bend close to the water surface and stream can flow quickly.
The river has a sandy bottom and small romantic sandy beaches along the way attract canoeist for taking a break and having a swim.
At Majdalena, the river divides in two - The Old River and The New River. The New River is basically an artificial water canal connecting Lužnice and Nežárka rivers. It was built in the 16th century to regulate waters of Lužnice river. The canal is used by canoeist at low water level.
Lužnice River Basin | photo credit: martina
When there is enough water I recommend you to embark on an adventure through the woodland area of the Old River. This is the most romantic part of Lužnice.
You paddle very narrow meandering stream in the middle of untouched forest while trying to avoid fallen trees and branches. Sometimes you have to push your canoe over a submerged trunk. Sometimes, you have to bend low to pass under a fallen tree.
Once you make it through the Forest Nature Preserve a new adventure opens up - Rožmberk - the largest artificial lake in the Czech Republic built in the 16th century that you have to cross to get back to the Lužnice river.
The camping sites are situated in Suchdol nad Lužnicí, Majdalena, Lužnice, Vlkov, Dráchov, Roudná, Tábor and Bečice.
Lužnice River in Majdalena | photo credit: martina
The Ohře River: A Canoe Trip Through Western Bohemia
Czech river #Ohře offers six-day canoe trip stretching from Tršnice u Chebu to Klášterec nad Ohří and passing by the historic town of #Loket and a famous spa town of Karlovy Vary. If you want to do only a weekend trip, I recommend you to start in the town of Loket and finish in village of Vojkovice.
The area is well developed for canoeists. There are enough canoe rentals, camping sites and restaurants on the way.
River Ohře is fast flowing river with some exciting easy rapids. The upper stream from Tršnice runs through the meadows and hilly countryside and it is great for beginners to practice before the first rapids start when approaching the town of Loket.
Once you pass Loket, the river will take you by the steep granite rock formation called the Svatošské Rocks, an ideal destination for climbers and tourists. You can certainly make a stop here on the right bank of the river, have a lunch in a local restaurant and take a short hike to explore the rocks.
Loket Castle on Ohře River | photo credit: pixabay.com
Once the #Svatošské Rocks are past you, the river snakes nicely down towards the spa town of Karlovy Vary. Karlovy Vary is the most visited spa town in the Czech Republic and its beauty is famous. If you are a movie fan, the best time to go there would be the beginning of July when Karlovy Vary International Film Festival takes place.
Karlovy Vary | photo credit: pixabay.com
After Karlovy Vary, the Ohře river takes you to the most beautiful rapids on the river. River still flows fast here and therefore there is no need for paddling that much.
As you continue going further downstream the river still helps you moving faster. You can still spend several more days in the beautiful nature until you reach Klášterec nad Ohří.
The Ohře river has several weirs that are dangerous and cannot be underestimated. That is why always follow the signs and if you are not sure, a portage is always an option.
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