Modřany Gully Long Run
Modřany Gully Long Run: Wild, Challenging, and just outside Prague
Modřany Gully (Modřanská rokle) is my go-to long run — this gorgeous nature reserve sits just south of Prague, with the trailhead outside Zbraslav on the east bank of the Vltava, around nine kilometres downstream from the city.
What to Expect?
This one’s a proper challenge—technical climbs, runnable descents, and a mix of surfaces: forest singletrack, packed dirt, loose clay shale, and rocky sections to keep you on your toes.
Key highlights:
Vltava Riverside Trail – A calm, flat start along the river, perfect for easing into the run. Quiet, partly shaded, and very runnable.
Ascent to Hradiště – The first proper climb. It’s steep and scrambly in parts, but the views pay dividends.
Hradiště Observation Tower – A 360° panorama over Modřany Gully. Total photo op.
Hálkův Memorial – A stone monument in the forest, dedicated to Czech poet Vítězslav Hálek—worth a quiet pause.
Šance Climb & Ravine – A wild, rugged ascent on loose shale with dramatic rocky features.
Šance Plateau – Rolling meadows, ancient oaks, and wild lavender in season.
Modřanská Rokle Descent – A gentle forested drop back into the city. Shady, peaceful, and a perfect cooldown.
We pick up the river trail in Braník, in Prague 4, and leaving the city’s hustle behind, the low-elevation trail offers distant views of the gully’s hills and peaks as we run toward them.
The trail closely follows the river Vltava, with substantial sections on uneven flagstones, the remains of towpaths, from the days of intensive logging down-river.
Terrain like this, with regularly uneven surfaces, builds ankle strength, foot flexibility and muscle memory. During springtime and throughout the summer, the trail is littered with wild flowers.
It offers sweeping views of Chuchle Grove, on the west side of the river, and the Church of St. John of Nepomuk—a charming baroque chapel, originally built in the 18th century.
Zbraslav
Reaching Zbraslav, we follow yellow trail markers beneath the “Závodu míru” bridge. Steps lead up to the bridge’s southern ramp, and we cross into Zbraslav proper. There, we rejoin the yellow trail into Břežanské Valley—where the real climbing begins.
Ascent grade increases steadily on a hard-packed trail, often eroded and rocky. Toward the summit at Hradiště, the terrain turns technical. The area is famous for its exposed layers of Proterozoic bedrock, limestone, siltstone, greywacke, and clay shale—a geologist’s dream and a runner’s quad test.
This first climb is a sampler of the gully’s diverse terrain. The south-facing viewpoints are magic—English and sessile oaks create a serene, shaded canopy.
Hradiště (389m)
At the summit, the Hradiště Observation Tower dares you to go higher. On clear days, you can spot Vyšehrad Fort and even Prague Castle on the horizon.
Into the Ravine: Climbing Šance
Descending yellow and blue trails into the southern forest, we drop into the Břežanské Valley. Right opposite lies the unmarked Šance Ravine. No signage—just follow the path of least resistance up.
Šance (385m)
Climbing Šance, we pass ancient Celtic fortifications—once a Boii tribe stronghold, now half-hidden among the trees.
At the top, it’s all oaks and lavender. Trails are rarely used here—it feels wild and deeply peaceful.
Downhill All The Way
From Šance, we roll downhill through shaded forest trails. The last stretch through Modřanská Rokle is a joy—cool, green, and silent. A trail runner’s dream finish.
Trail Tips
Water: Bring enough—refill spots are rare.
Shoes: Trail shoes are a must; it gets rough and rocky.
Poles: Handy in winter, or if you like a bit of extra push on the climbs.
Navigation: Main trails are marked (with the exception of the ravine), but GPS or a map helps if you go exploring.
Timing: Early mornings are ideal—quiet and cool.
Elevation Profile
Distance: 23 km
Elevation Gain: 450 m
Start Point: Braník (Prague 4), tram stop Pobřežní cesta (request stop)
Highlights: Vltava Riverside Trail, Hradiště climb and views, observation tower, Šance ridge and ravine, Modřanská rokle descent
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