Day Hike + Underground Via Ferrata – Štěchovice to Žampach Mine

You hike through one of Bohemia's most beautiful river valleys, following the oldest marked trail in the Czech Republic. Then you descend into an abandoned gold mine and climb 70 metres straight up through the darkness on iron rungs bolted into the rock. Two completely different worlds. One unforgettable day. The Posázavská stezka between Štěchovice and Žampach was built between 1914 and 1924 — the very first marked hiking trail in the country. It hugs the Sázava river valley through dense forest, past dramatic viewpoints over the confluence with the Vltava, and across the 42-metre Žampach viaduct. The kind of trail that makes you forget you're 40 minutes from Prague. And then, at the end of the trail, you go underground. Důl Pepr is the first underground mine via ferrata in the Czech Republic. A former gold mine turned into a 70-metre vertical climbing route through narrow shafts, chambers, and passages — all deep inside the rock. Headlamps on, harnesses clipped, and up you go through the Vysoké Mezipatro (the "High Mezzanine"). It's dark, it's tight, it's unlike any via ferrata you've ever done. This is a two-for-one day — proper hiking in the morning, underground adventure in the afternoon. Who's this for? Anyone with decent fitness for a 16km hike and no claustrophobia. The via ferrata is guided with all gear provided — no prior climbing experience needed for the mine. You DO need to be comfortable in tight, dark spaces underground. 🗓️ The day 🚉 07:00 — Meet at Praha-Braník station Find us on the platform for the S8 direction Čerčany. Look for the group with hiking boots and backpacks. Be there by 07:00 — the train doesn't wait. 🚆 07:11 — S8 train departs ~60 minutes to Stechovice station. Tickets on the PID Lítačka app or at the station. Cost: ~50 CZK one way. 🥾 ~08:00 — Trail start at Stechovice We pick up the Posázavská stezka and head south along the Sázava river. The trail is well-marked (red blazes) and follows the valley through forest, past viewpoints, and across the iconic Žampach viaduct. Trail highlights: 🔹 Three panoramic viewpoints over the Sázava-Vltava confluence 🔹 Žampach viaduct — 42m bridge with river views 🔹 Dense forest sections with cool shade (welcome in July!) 🔹 The oldest marked trail in the Czech Republic Route stats: 🔹 Distance: ~16.6 km 🔹 Elevation gain: ~464 m 🔹 Difficulty: Moderate 🔹 Duration: ~5–6 hours including breaks We hike as a loose group with checkpoints at the viewpoints and at the viaduct. Everyone goes at their own pace — no pressure. 🍽️ ~12:00 — Lunch break on the trail Pack your own — there's no restaurant on the route. We'll find a nice spot with a view. 🏔️ ~13:30 — Arrive Žampach / Důl Pepr Trail ends right where the mine starts. Perfect timing. ⛏️ ~14:00 — Underground Via Ferrata: Vysoké Mezipatro This is the wild part. You descend into the old Pepr gold mine and climb 70 metres vertically through underground shafts and chambers. 🔹 Duration: ~3 hours (including briefing and gear-up) 🔹 All gear provided: harness, helmet, headlamp, via ferrata set 🔹 Guided by trained instructors — max 12 people per group 🔹 No prior climbing experience needed 🔹 You DO need to be okay with tight spaces and darkness Cost: 1,580 CZK per person (~€63) — includes everything (gear, guide, entry). ⚠️ Booking required in advance — we'll book as a group after RSVPs are confirmed. Slots are limited to 12 people, so RSVP early! 🚆 ~17:30 — Train back from Jílové u Prahy Short walk from the mine to the station. S8 back to Praha-Braník. ~45 minutes, back in Prague by 18:15. 🍺 ~18:30 — Optional post-adventure beer Somewhere near Braník. After hiking 16km and climbing through a mine, you'll need it. 🎒 What to bring 🔹 Hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes 🔹 2–3L water (no refill on the trail) 🔹 Packed lunch + snacks 🔹 Rain jacket (river valley = microclimates) 🔹 Headlamp or phone light (backup for the mine — they provide headlamps but just in case) 🔹 Small backpack (you carry it in the mine too) 🔹 Cash or card for train tickets (~100 CZK return) 🔹 1,580 CZK or card for the via ferrata (paid on site or pre-booked) 🔹 Change of shirt — you'll be sweaty after 16km + underground climbing 🔹 Good mood and zero claustrophobia You do NOT need to bring climbing gear — everything for the mine is provided. 💰 Cost estimate 🔹 Train return (Praha-Braník ↔. Stechovice ./Jílové): ~100 CZK (~€4) 🔹 Underground via ferrata (all gear included): 1,580 CZK (~€63) 🔹 Food/drinks: bring your own 🔹 Total: ~1,680 CZK (~€67) ⚠️ Important notes 🔹 Via ferrata booking is required — max 12 people per slot. After you RSVP here, we'll book as a group. If the slot fills up before you RSVP, you can still join the hike (just skip the mine). 🔹 Not for claustrophobics — the mine sections are genuinely narrow and dark. If tight underground spaces aren't your thing, you can do just the hike and wait at the surface. 🔹 This is a full day — 16km hike + 3h underground. Make sure you're rested and fed. 🚉 Transport summary 🔹 Meet: Praha-Braník station, S8 platform, 07:00 🔹 Depart: S8 train at 07:11 direction Čerčany 🔹 Get off:Stechovice (~08:00) 🔹 Return: S8 from Jílové u Prahy (~17:30) 🔹 Back in Prague: ~18:15 at Braník No car needed. Pure train adventure. 🔗 Hiking route on AllTrails · ⭐ Moderate · 16.6 km · 464 m elevation 🔗 Via Ferrata info · Underground mine · 70m vertical · All gear provided 🔗 Book the via ferrata RSVP here and you'll be added to our WhatsApp group for logistics, group booking confirmation, and weather check. First 12 RSVPs get the mine slot — don't sleep on it. ⛏️🥾