„An „Iron Curtain“ closes the Vltava Cycle Path likely until the end of the Summer Holidays

The pedestrian and cycling path has been officially closed over a 200-meter section since last November, when the Environmental Agency identified dangerous conditions in the rock above the trail. While it remained officially closed with signs through the winter—aside from a few weeks when authorities briefly reopened it—many people continued to pass through despite the ban, especially after a protective embankment was built under the rock in spring.

The right-bank cycle path is the main northern cycling route out of Prague and the only trail along the Vltava River in that direction. It’s also part of the international EuroVelo 7 route, frequently used by long-distance tourists. Locals use it too—for instance, residents of Řež and Klecany often commute to Prague by bike along this path.

Final phase of the closure

This now appears to be the final phase of the closure, during which the dangerous rock is expected to be stabilized. Equipment will likely finally access the site to secure or partially remove the unstable rock. Instead of just signs and daytime security personnel, a metal fence has now been erected to prevent people from bypassing the closure.

According to the relevant office in Brandýs nad Labem, the closure is scheduled to last until August 30. Authorities had previously promised to reopen the path in June. This means a major route will be disrupted for much of the summer, impacting both cycling transportation and tourism in the greater Prague area.

Detour

In addition to signs warning of the closure, new information boards in Czech, German, and English have appeared near the path over the past week.

1. A QR code linking to a detour route on the Mapy.com website has also been placed here by one of the passersby. The detour leads through Bohnice and Čimice to Klecany, but only approximately—it is not physically marked in the terrain. The detour involves extra elevation gain and riding on busy roads, such as Ústecká Street. In the direction toward Prague, it also includes several streets riding in the opposite direction of traffic, making the route unsuitable for some riders. A slightly shorter alternative is also available [see here].
2. Another possible detour is to take the left bank of the Vltava River (cycle route A1). However, for most of the route, there is no designated pedestrian or bike path, and riders must travel on the road to Roztoky. From there, it’s possible to cross back to the right side of the river using the ferry to Klecany, which runs every 30 minutes.

According to reports in a Facebook group dedicated to this section of the cycle path, during the first weekend after the fence was erected (June 21–22), someone partially opened the fence, temporarily allowing passage. On Monday, workers reassembled the barrier, again blocking access to both cyclists and pedestrians.

Daniel Münich, a representative from Řež who has been commenting on the closure for some time, criticizes the lack of a proper alternative route. He suggests solutions such as a temporary footbridge over the 200-meter section or a ferry service.