Židova strouha

This stream, with its romantic name and equally romantic valley, is only twenty and a half kilometers long and is a left tributary of the Lužnice River. Especially its lower course is a popular destination for paddlers, hikers, anglers, and all nature lovers. The stream originates near the village of Bzí at an elevation of 519 meters. Below Bechyně, it forms a canyon with jagged rocks and caves, and three kilometers south of this town, it flows into the Lužnice. This section is the most beautiful and has an unforgettable atmosphere. In 1988, it was declared a natural monument.

The story behind the name of the stream is also intriguing. A local legend attributes the name to Jewish residents who supposedly hid here after being expelled from Týn nad Vltavou or Bechyně, or perhaps to the famous magician Žito, associated with King Wenceslas IV. Another theory is that the name derives from a former landowner, the reeve of Smilovice, named Čuda (originally Čudova strouha), or from the Czech word “žito” (rye), symbolizing the fertile lands the stream flows through.

Another tip for a trip is the opposite, right bank of the Lužnice, accessible from Bechyně or from Koloděje nad Lužnicí, offering more fascinating rock formations and a suspension footbridge.

A yellow tourist trail runs along Židova strouha, which can be accessed from the Týn nad Vltavou – Tábor road before the village of Březnice. Along the route, you’ll need to overcome minor terrain obstacles, especially towards the end of the trail where the stream must be crossed. It’s best to hike this trail in fair weather.

The most beautiful final part of Židova strouha can be reached from Nuzice – either via the blue trail or by turning left at the forest junction beyond Nuzice off the road between Týn nad Vltavou and Bechyně.