Šárka Valley © Sybille Yates
I am often asked, both by old friends in the UK and by new friends here in Prague, whether there are things I miss now that I live in a European capital city rather than the Oxfordshire countryside. I usually respond by saying that the only thing I miss is being able see fields and hedgerows directly from the windows of my home. But although I now live in an urban rather than a rural environment, the countryside is not very far away. Just behind the Pat’anka flats complex where we now live is Prírodní Park Šárka – Lysolaje, the Šárka Valley Nature Reserve, an amazing steep-sided wooded valley which once you enter it, seems a million miles away from the busy city environment even though it isn’t!
The main way to explore the Šárka Valley is on foot. There is a network of paths many of which are waymarked. Thus, aided by a 1 : 50 000 Turistická Mapa, we have begun to explore this beautiful green oasis that lies on our doorstep. Probably the most interesting route is the ‘red route’ waymarked by red & white marks very similar to the French balises that mark long distance footpaths in France.
The complete ‘red route’ is circular but we haven’t yet managed to walk all of it in one go. However, since Easter we have walked nearly all of it in different sections. Twice we have taken the tram almost the complete length of Evropská, to the terminus appropriately called Divorká Šárka (Wild Šárka). This lies at the western end of the valley and the ‘red route’ passes just below the tram terminus station. The other extremity of the ‘red route’ lies at the top of the hill behind our flats complex. So we have been able to walk in either direction along the waymarked route and arrive back at our flat. The great advantage of going out to Divorká Šárka and making our way back is that the last part of the walk is always downhill!
In many ways I now have the best of all worlds – all the amenities of this wonderful capital city yet with this beautiful green wooded reserve almost on my doorstep.
Footpath in Šárka Valley © Sybille Yates
Red route waymarking © Sybille Yates
Hi Ricky,
Beautiful pictures and I can very much relate to your post!! I came to Prague from Angel Fire, New Mexico, which is a ski resort in the highest part of the state! It was more like living in a rugged wilderness up there, though it is somewhat civilized! Moving to Prague hasn’t been so painful as there is soooo much nature around! Sarka is one of my favorite places to wander when we have time!
Thanks for signing up for World Blog Surf Day!!! Looking forward to your post!!
Have a great day,
Sher :0)
Hi Ricky,
You certainly are lucky having that on your doorstep. I think many people are within walking distance of a rural retreat but just don’t have the time to experience it.
@Sher – The German half of our cross-cultural marriage was responsible for the pictures. That’s why for once on my blog, there are more pictures than text!
@Martin – I agree except the issue is not so much ‘don’t have the time’ but rather ‘don’t make the time’.
Ricky it looks great and just nearby. On the theme of “don’t make time,” I agree, the longer I stay in this beautiful country the more I tend to use the excuse I don’t have time. Which is of course ridiculous! I guess my only excuse is that I sometimes lack the motivation because of the hot/humid climate-but I have to admit it sounds somewhat weak!
[…] have blogged previously about the Šárka Valley Nature Reserve, a wonderful steep-sided wooded valley that lies beyond the Baba ridge which in turn, lies […]