On the road beyond Ruda toward Brejl, the remains of the former “Prague–Lány horse-drawn railway” stretch for about 2.5 km. The “Following the Prague–Lány Horse-Drawn Railway” excursion can be done by bicycle. This historic trace gives local history a concrete focus; alongside it, Baroque buildings, a designed cultural landscape and nature along the Klíčava are among Ruda’s defining themes.
Nature along the Klíčava
The Údolí Klíčavy Nature Reserve protects preserved floodplain meadows, woodland and the course of the Klíčava stream. The part of the nature reserve near Ruda has a high concentration of specially protected plant and animal species. The registered Klíčava floodplain near Ruda includes a wet meadow and marsh vegetation. Thus, the area’s natural features include both protected floodplain and woodland as well as specific wetland characteristics.
Chapel and Amálie Farmstead
The Chapel of the Guardian Angels is a valuable Baroque chapel dating from 1749. The agricultural Amálie Farmstead represents a later building phase: the farmstead in Ruda was established around 1820, and its dominant feature is a monumental granary. Their different dates make the chapel and farmstead two clearly distinct historical landmarks.
The protected Amálie Farmstead includes more than its striking granary. Its protected components include a manager’s house, two granaries, a building with cattle stalls and living quarters, and another building with a horse stable, ox stable and living quarters. There is also a barn with a gate, connecting boundary walls, enclosures with gates, and the enclosed areas of the site. Those interested in rural architectural history will therefore find both individual farm buildings and the architectural layout of the protected farmstead.
A Baroque-designed landscape
Around Amálie Farmstead, the Baroque-designed landscape includes a regular system of paths and signs at junctions. Chapels are situated at the centers of junctions, often complemented by avenues. Compositional axes connect independent foresters’ houses with the Amálie, Doupno, Požáry and Karlov farmsteads. Amálie is therefore identified not only as an agricultural farmstead but also as part of a larger landscape design that includes several farmsteads and foresters’ houses.
Walking routes and practical planning
A municipal area profile from 2024 lists the “Scent of Smoke and Needles” nature trail and a marked green KČT hiking route for Ruda. This information refers to that profile; the condition and maintenance of the nature trail, as well as the route markings, may change. Before setting out, check the current conditions, especially the hiking route markings.
The local themes can be distinguished by interest: the former horse-drawn railway offers a historical focus for a cycling excursion; the chapel and Amálie Farmstead represent architectural history, while the Klíčava floodplain and nature reserve bring natural features to the fore. These distinct themes give you a basis for choosing Ruda according to your own interests, without treating the route information as a fixed circuit.
Discover more destinations: Příčina, Krakovec, Kolešov, Lašovice, Malinová, Krivoklat, Rakovník, Milý
For the broader travel overview: Okres Rakovník.
