Short cycling trips or pleasant walks around the Bolevec Ponds

Head away from the city centre, making your way to Štruncovy sady, where you will see the confluence of the Radbuza and Mže Rivers. Continue past the FC Victoria Pilsen training field, travelling between the two farmer’s fields, until you come upon the main crossroads in the Bílá Hora neighbourhood. Before you reach the crossroads, we would recommend taking a right down towards the river. Here you can take the footpath that runs along the river in order to safely pass under several of the bridges at once.

From there, you can make your way to the dam at the Large Bolevec Pond, which is the largest of the ponds. On your left you’ll see the original fish shop and the old marina. Near the dam there used to be a place where ice would form, which was then transported down to be used in the Brewery.

Today, the Bolevák recreational area is the largest in Pilsen. It’s here you’ll find sandy beaches, fresh food, and playgrounds for children. The path leading around the ponds is easily accessible by both wheelchair users and families with prams. If you’re starting to feel like it’s time to order your first beer or get some ice cream, head over to the snack area on the dam, and relax in a beach chair.

By crossing the dam and making your way around the Small Bolevec Pond, you’ll arrive at the Košinář Pond. From there, you can continue to one of the other ponds, namely Senecký Pond. Next, take cycleway no. 2151 along the beach, which will lead you to two smaller, yet romantic, ponds in the middle of the forest. You will also have the option to visit Arboretum Sofronka.

Then continue on over the footbridge (the footbridge was closed at the time this article was published) and cross the street heading toward the village of Plasy. It’s here you’ll discover the Sigmond Nature Trail, which will guide you around Kamenný Pond. Note that the water in this pond has a dark, reddish colour. This is due to the leachates of the surrounding peat bogs. It’s said that the water here is the same as in a lake in Finland. Here you can take a seat on a bench on the beach, which is nicely shaded by the pine trees, and soak in the pleasant smell of the resin.

A bit past the pond you will find an interesting historic site of technological value – The Pitch Oven in Pilsen. Tar and pitch, the most used lubricant back in its day, were produced here until the second half of the 19^th century. Next you can circle around Kamenný Pond and return past Senecký Pond, until you make it back to the Large Bolevec Pond. Here you can enjoy the nice asphalt path as it winds around the beach to the so-called “Ostende” recreation area, which was named after the famous Belgian coastal spa. A great place to take a break and enjoy a sit down on some terrace beach chairs can be found in the local Point restaurant. Here you can even order a cocktail, while your children bounce around on the giant trampolines.

When it’s time to head home, we would recommend taking cycleway no. 2151 through Bílá hora and Pecihrádek, which is the same place where a small castle once stood. Cross the hanging footbridge, from which passers-by can often watch domesticated nutria, and continue to the confluence of the Radbuza and Úslava Rivers and the small, charming church U sv. Jiří. Anyone interested in engineering should then head over to the newly constructed railway tunnels near the Chlum hilltop. If you wait a moment here, you’re sure to see one of the trains passing by. All that’s left now is to make your way back along the Úslava, until you find yourself at the city centre.