Divoká Šárka, Prague: A Wild Valley Park and How to Photograph It

Divoká Šárka (“Wild Šárka”) is a nature reserve on the north-western edge of Prague, in the Prague 6 district. It is a narrow valley cut by the Šárecký stream, with steep rock walls, meadows and forest, and it feels much further from the city than it actually is. If you want a break from the crowded historical centre, this is one of the easiest places to find real nature without leaving Prague.

History and the Legend of Šárka

Slavs settled this area around the 6th century, and from the 7th to the 9th century a large fortified Slavic settlement stood on the heights above the Džbán gorge. It is one of the oldest known settlements on the territory of today’s Prague.

The valley is named after the female warrior Šárka from the old Bohemian legends of the Maidens’ War. According to the story she tricked the warrior Ctirad into a trap, and in one version of the legend, after betraying the man she had fallen in love with, she threw herself to her death from the cliffs here.

What to See

• The Džbán gorge – the dramatic rocky gateway at the start of the valley, popular with climbers.
• Džbán reservoir (“The Pitcher”) – a lake on the edge of the reserve, used for swimming in summer.
• The open-air swimming pool in the middle of the reserve, supplied with cold, fresh water from the stream that runs through the park.
• Forest trails and meadows – marked paths follow the stream down the valley. The black woodpecker still lives in these woods, so keep your eyes and ears open.

How to Get There

The simplest way is by tram to the Divoká Šárka terminus, from where the entrance to the valley is a short walk downhill. The park is free and always open; check the official websites for the current season of the swimming areas.

Photographing Divoká Šárka

This is a landscape location rather than a city one, so plan it like a short hike. The valley is deep, which means the bottom stays in shade early and late in the day. For the rocks of the gorge, mid-morning or late afternoon gives side light and texture; for the view from the top of the cliffs, the hour before sunset is the most rewarding.

• Climb to the rock viewpoints above Džbán for wide shots over the valley and the lake.
• Autumn is the strongest season, with warm colours in the forest. Spring brings fresh green and wildflowers in the meadows.
• Weekday mornings are very quiet. On hot summer weekends the lake and the pool get busy.
• Wear proper shoes – the paths up to the viewpoints are steep and can be slippery after rain.

Planning more stops in the city? Browse more Prague guides for other places worth visiting and photographing.

Proposing in Divoká Šárka

Divoká Šárka is a good choice for an adventurous couple who love hiking and would rather propose among rocks and forest than in the old town. Treat it like a short hike and plan the route in advance.

• Is it a good place to propose? Yes, with caveats. The rock viewpoints are spectacular, but the paths are steep and can be slippery, so it suits couples who are comfortable walking. Stay well back from the cliff edges.
• Best time: the hour before sunset for the view from the top of the cliffs. Autumn colour makes the valley especially beautiful.
• Permits and rules: this is a public nature reserve, and a private proposal needs no permit. Keep to marked paths, do not leave decorations behind, and check the reserve’s rules before bringing anything bigger than flowers.
• Crowds: weekday mornings and evenings are very quiet. On hot summer weekends the lake and the pool get busy.
• The best spot: one of the rock viewpoints above the Džbán gorge, looking over the valley and the lake.
• Where the photographer can wait: on a neighbouring rock or lower on the path with a telephoto lens. Wear proper shoes, and agree on the spot beforehand, as phone signal and landmarks are less obvious in the valley.

Comparing places? See our guide to the best places to propose in Prague.