Dobříš is a small town in Central Bohemia, about forty kilometres south-west of Prague, set on the edge of the Brdy, a long range of forested hills. The town is best known for its Rococo chateau, built in the eighteenth century for the Colloredo-Mansfeld family, with formal French gardens and an English-style park. After the Second World War, the chateau served for decades as a retreat for Czechoslovak writers, and it is now open to visitors again.
The surrounding landscape is dominated by forests and ponds. The Brdy hills were a closed military area for much of the twentieth century, and as a result they remain largely wild and undeveloped. In 2016, a large part of the area became a protected landscape area and was opened to the public. Ponds and small reservoirs dot the countryside around Dobříš, and some are used for swimming in summer.
The riding around Dobříš is pleasant, with quiet roads winding through forests and farmland, and a few short climbs into the hills. Surfaces vary from smooth to rough, and some smaller roads are narrow and patched. Traffic is generally light away from the main road to Prague.
Dobříš has fuel, shops and restaurants, making it a convenient stop. If you are looking for a swim, ask locally about the best ponds, as conditions and access vary. The Vltava and the Slapy reservoir are also not far to the east, offering more opportunities for water and scenery.