Káraný at the confluence of the Elbe and Jizera

Káraný lies at the confluence of the Elbe and Jizera. When choosing a hotel in Káraný, you can first consider whether cycling connections, river and woodland landscapes, or the town’s history will shape your stay. The routes, natural features, and historic buildings below offer some concrete points of reference.

Cycling connections and routes

The routes described differ in their course: cycle route 0041 Káraný–Kochánky passes through Káraný and continues via Sojovice and Předměřice to Kochánky. The Greenway Jizera also passes through Káraný and returns to the Elbe at Lázně Toušeň. Check route conditions and restrictions before setting out; conditions on the regional cycle route may also change.

Unpaved forest paths lead from Káraný to Zelená bouda. Conditions may vary seasonally. Káraný is also a gateway to the Císařské lesy. Another point of reference is the “Naučná stezka Údolím Labe” nature trail: it is 21 km long, has 24 stops with information boards, and connects Lysá nad Labem, Káraný, and Čelákovice. Along the described route, it passes Grado and a footbridge over the Elbe.

The pedestrian and cycle bridge to Toušeň carries pedestrians and cyclists, as well as a medium-pressure gas pipeline, across the Elbe about 500 meters upstream from the confluence. Check the current conditions before crossing.

River landscapes and nature

Grado is a former oxbow of the Elbe. Lipovka is a remnant of the original floodplain forest along the Elbe, and Václavka is a state nature reserve. These three features represent different aspects of the landscape: a former river channel, a remnant of floodplain forest, and a protected area. Together with access to the Císařské lesy, they offer a range of points of interest for travelers interested in river and woodland landscapes.

Chapels and the history of the waterworks

The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk (sv. Jana Nepomuckého) was built in 1907 in Václavská ulice, in the center of the original village. The open-air forest chapel “U svatého Václava” also stands in the vicinity of Káraný. It dates from around 1696 and was part of a group of three nearby natural hermitages. The two chapels represent different chapters in the local architectural history: one is associated with the center of the original village, the other with a group of hermitages.

The Káraný waterworks complex is also historically significant for the drinking water supply. It officially began operating on January 1, 1914. After it began operating, the waterworks supplied Prague with 880 liters of drinking water per second from the region.

Fishing nearby

Near Káraný, the Jizera 1 fishing area extends from its mouth at the Elbe in Toušeň to the weir at the Kačov power plant; fishing from a boat is permitted. If you plan to fish there, check the applicable permits and regulations beforehand.

Discover more destinations: Odolena Voda, Šestajovice, Hlavenec, Dřevčice, Konětopy, Pětihosty, Libeznice, Babice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Praha-Východ.