Setting off on foot straight from the city and reaching wild nature by the river sounds like a solid outdoor challenge. That’s exactly how my plan for a tough, single-day dog trek from Prague came about. According to the GPS, a fantastic route of 50.6 kilometers awaited us, with an estimated walking time of over 11 hours. Together with my dog, Brixie, we packed our backpacks and set out to test our physical limits.
Early Start from Chodov and an Asphalt Beginning
However, the start of the day didn’t go quite as planned, as my sleep was once again rubbish. I’m not entirely sure what to do anymore to get a proper night’s sleep and recharge. So, I’m up before 5:30 AM, already tired, just tossing and turning in bed for a bit before finally getting up. I quickly pull on my outdoor gear and take the dogs out for a quick walk to catch the cool morning air.
Afterwards, I give them a quick breakfast, with Brixie getting a limited portion of kibble as a precaution. Then, I lightning-fast finish the last few preparations and, precisely at 07:17, I turn on my Garmin watch. This marks the official start of our dog trek from Prague today, specifically from Chodov. Initially, we walk through the woods, but soon we’re on rather uninspiring asphalt as we pass through Kunratice, Vestec, and Jesenice. Thankfully, the situation improves when we leave the last houses in Psáry behind, and the grey concrete gives way to a forest path.
Through Wild Nature and a Refreshing Dip in the Sázava
Suddenly, we find ourselves in a completely different world – it’s awesome! We walk along beautiful forest trails all the way to Žampach, and then we’re standing by the roaring Sázava River. Brixie, not one to miss out, joyfully jumps straight into the water for a refreshing dip. From there, we continue on a gorgeous route right along the riverbank to Kamenný Újezd. I take a short break at the local general store, grabbing a refreshing Birell, some cheese, and tasty treats for Brixie.
Good food and regular energy top-ups are key for us, something we’ve confirmed on our previous trips and dog treks, where the kilometers in nature rack up just as quickly. Right after, we cross a bridge and head straight towards Petrov u Prahy on the official Sázava Trail. Following the river’s course offers fantastic views that instantly boost your energy, and the walk through nature flies by.
An Unplanned Stop in Petrov and a Train Ride Home
Originally, I had planned to walk all the way through Davle to our final destination in Vrané nad Vltavou, but plans sometimes change on dog treks. During a well-deserved break with a cola by the Sázava in Petrov, I unfortunately notice something unpleasant. My dog, Brixie, has some nasty abrasions and bruising on her front leg armpits from the harness.
Thinking about it, it was probably a combination of her jumping into the Sázava at the start of the trail, the skin getting quickly damp and chafed under the wet harness with constant movement, and unfortunately, the harness not being perfectly adjusted from home.
By this point, we’ve covered an impressive 40 kilometers, so at 3:45 PM, we call it a day here. My four-legged partner’s health is always my absolute priority, so I’m not risking it further through pain. I immediately buy a train ticket on my phone for the 4:42 PM departure and we wait together at the station for the train home. On the train seats, Brixie and I rest contentedly because, despite the early finish, the whole day was simply great.
Today’s dog trek from Prague has taught me again that you have to react flexibly to the situation and listen to your dog’s needs. Even though we didn’t reach our originally planned destination, I’m taking away a ton of great memories and a valuable lesson about thoroughly checking gear when it’s wet. Next time, I definitely won’t make any mistakes with harness adjustments!
And how do you handle unexpected complications on long routes? Can you call it quits on your planned destination in time when it comes to your animal companion’s comfort?
Daily Summary
- Kilometers Today: 40 km
- Highlight of the Day: The beautiful transition from urban sprawl to the wild nature of the Sázava region, ending with a relaxing train ride.
- Interesting Encounters: My loyal partner, Brixie.
