Koněprusy Caves (Koněpruské jeskyně)
If you are looking for a great location for a day-trip from Prague, you should certainly consider the Koněprusy Caves, the largest cave complex in the Czech Republic, located just 6 km (4 miles) from Beroun and about 20 miles south-west of Prague, in the protected landscape area of the Czech Karst (Český kras). The Koněprusy Caves offer guided group tours that take about an hour and during which visitors have the opportunity to enjoy many of the spectacular creations of nature. The complex of Koněprusy Caves is located inside the Golden Horse (Zlatý kůň) Mountain and its emergence dates back to the end of the Paleozoic and the beginning of the Mesozoic era, namely during the Silur and Devon periods when it was produced chiefly by the erosive activities of what is today the Berounka River. As of now, about two thousand meters of cave corridors have been discovered in the Koněprusy complex with the height range of about 70 meters. The corridors form three stories, out of which a part of the upper two can be visited during guided tours. From the points of view of geomorphology, paleontology and mineralogy, the Koněprusy Caves are of world-wide significance. The cave complex is open to the public from April to November (in November access is limited to weekdays). The caves are easily accessible from Prague by car with a paid parking lot located about 400 meters from the cave entrance, making them a great day-long excursion outside of Prague. Public transport (buses) can be used to get to the village of Koněprusy from which the caves are within a comfortable walking distance. The Koněprusy Caves tours are rather physically demanding (the route is 620 meters long and visitors need to climb 533 stairs) and are not wheelchair accessible. Children up to 6 years of age are admitted free of charge, while students (with student ID cards) and children up to 15 and seniors all pay discounted fare. Pets are not allowed to enter the caves. Visits of the caves can be combined with a walk in the surrounding area where you can find the Golden Horse Mountain, whose peak offers excellent views of the whole Czech Karst area or the nearby limestone quarry where you can try your luck at searching for Paleozoic fossils. Enjoy all that the Czech Republic has to offer with great outdoor activities near Prague, such as this trip to the Koněprusy Caves!
Koněpruské jeskyně, Koněprusy, +420 311 622 405, http://www.caves.cz/cz/jeskyne/konepurske-jeskyne/
