The Berounka flows through the Křivoklát region from west to east. Located in the southeast of Rakovník District, it offers a good starting point for exploring the river landscape, castle history and railway experiences.
River and Forest History
Along the river, you’ll find the Skryjská jezírka nature reserve and a fossil museum. The region’s deep forests once served the rulers of Prague as a place to relax and hunt. In 1978, the Křivoklát region was declared a protected landscape area. Its striking scenery and long history, closely connected to the area, come together here.
Those who enjoy exploring on foot or by bike will find numerous hiking and cycling trails in Křivoklátsko and Rakovnicko. The educational trail from Mutějovice railway station to the Kounov stone rows offers a distinctive point of reference. As trail conditions can change, it’s a good idea to check them before setting out. This lets you combine exploring the landscape with a specific destination without having to commit to a fixed route for your entire stay.
Křivoklát: A Castle Tour with Plenty of Stairs
The origins of Křivoklát Castle date back to the 12th century. The full castle tour includes the library, picture gallery, Fürstenberg Museum, fortifications and Great Round Tower. There is also a self-guided tour of the fortifications and Great Round Tower. The two options have different focuses: the full tour covers more parts of the castle, while the self-guided tour focuses on the fortifications and tower.
The nature of the full tour is also important when planning your visit: the many stairs make it physically demanding. If you’re planning to visit the castle, you can take this into account when choosing between the two tours. The building’s history and the specific way it is visited are closely connected here—from its historical origins to the routes through the castle.
Railway History in Lužná u Rakovníka
The Lužná u Rakovníka Railway Museum is housed in a former roundhouse of the Buštěhrad Railway in Lužná–Lišany. It is next to the railway station; signs point the way to the museum from there. The collection includes more than thirty railway exhibits, including locomotives from various periods of railway operation. On display are steam and diesel locomotives, historic passenger and freight cars, and special-purpose cars. An HO-scale model railway complements the exhibition. The exhibits on display may change over time.
The museum also has a narrow-gauge railway with a track gauge of 800 millimetres and round trips. These use operational locomotives and a converted passenger car. Running times may vary; check them in advance if you’d like to plan a ride. Lužná thus combines a look at historic vehicles with a trip around the narrow-gauge circuit. The museum offers a different way to explore the region than the castle or the trails through the landscape.
Hops and Markets in Křivoklátsko
Regional produce also helps shape the character of the area: hops with a delicate aroma are grown in Křivoklátsko and Rakovnicko. Traditional markets in Křivoklát showcase local crafts and products from the Křivoklátsko area. Their programs may vary by season and year. Together with the river, forest, castle and railway collection, they offer a range of discoveries—from landscapes and trails to history and regional products.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Kounov, Krivoklat, Krusovice, Luzna U Rakovnika, Rakovník, Řevničov, Lhotka-Ostrovec, Jesenice U Rakovníka, Cista U Rakovnika, Chotěšov, Hořesedly, Hořovičky, Kolešovice, Krupá, Lišany, Šípy, Milostín, Mšec, Mutějovice, Nové Strašecí, Nový Dům, Oráčov, Pochvalov, Rynholec, Senomaty, Skryje, Slabce, Hřebečníky, Srbeč, Zbečno, Branov, Bdín, Děkov, Drahouš, Přerubenice, Hracholusky, Hvozd U Rakovníka, Pavlíkov, Janov, Kalivody, Velká Buková, Karlova Ves, Kolešov, Krakov, Krakovec, Kroučová, Krty, Lašovice, Mšecké Žehrovice, Lubná, Malinová, Milý, Nesuchyně, Nezabudice, Panoší Újezd, Příčina, Přílepy, Pšovlky, Pustověty, Račice, Roztoky, Ruda U Nového Strašecí, Řeřichy, Senec, Svojetín, Sýkořice, Šanov, Třeboc, Třtice, Václavy, Velká Chmelištná, Všesulov, Zavidov, Svinařov, Městečko.
For the broader travel overview: Central Bohemia.
