Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Canoeing and Rafting the Vltava
Splash a little river fun into your visit by renting a rubber raft
or hard plastic canoe for a quick 30-minute spin around Český
Krumlov. Or go for a three-hour
f loat and paddle through the
Bohemian forests and villages
of the nearby countryside. You'll
end up at Zlatá Koruna Abbey
(described earlier), where the
rafting company will shuttle you
back to town—or provide you
with a bicycle to pedal back on
your own along a bike path. This
is a great hot-weather activity.
Though the river is far from treacherous, be prepared to get wet.
On any trip, you'll encounter plenty of inviting pubs and
cafés for breaks along the way. There's a little whitewater, but the
river is so shallow that if you tip, you simply stand up and climb
back in. (When that happens, pull the canoe up onto the bank to
empty it, since you'll never manage to pour the water out while
still in the river.)
Choose from a kayak, a canoe (fastest, less work, more likely
to tip), or an inflatable raft (harder rowing, slower, but very stable).
Prices are per boat (2-6 people) and include a map, a waterproof
container, and transportation to or from the start and end points.
Here are your options:
Quickie Circle-the-Town Float:
The easiest half-hour expe-
rience is to float around the city's peninsula, starting and ending at
opposite sides of the tiny isthmus. Heck, you can do it twice (350
Kč for 1 or 2 people in a canoe or raft).
Three-Hour Float to Zlatá Koruna Abbey:
This is your
best basic trip, with pastoral scenery, a riverside pub on the left
after two hours, and a beautiful abbey as your destination (about
9 miles, 700 Kč for 1 or 2 people). From there you can bike back or
catch a shuttle bus home—simply arrange a return plan with the
rental company.
Longer and Faster Trips:
If you start upriver from Krumlov
(direction: Rožmberk), you'll go faster with more whitewater, but
the river parallels a road so it's a little less idyllic. Longer trips in
either direction involve lots of paddling, even though you're going
downstream. Rafting companies can review the many day-trip
options with you.
Rental Companies:
Several companies offer this lively
activity. Perhaps the handiest are
Půjčovna Lodí Maleček Boat
Rental
(open long hours daily April-Oct, closed Nov-March,
at recommended Pension Myší Díra, Rooseveltova 28, tel.
