Along the Romantic Trail around Borotín

Total length

18 or 11 km

Duration

5 hours 20 minutes or 3 hours 20 minutes

Terrain

Forest paths, field roads, asphalt.

Difficulty level

Easy

Marking

Yes

Route description

Wanderings through unspoiled nature will také you from the legendary ruins of Borotín Castle all the way to the top of Dehetník. The route has two options. The longer route starts at Sudoměřice u Tábora at the train station. From there, follow the yellow trail marker. After 1.3 km, you’ll reach the Černý les intersection, where you turn left and continue on the red trail marker. After 2 km, the red trail leads you through the forest, then along the road and a field path to the ruins of Borotín Castle. The shorter loop starts at the castle, and from here both routes continue together. You follow the blue trail along a field path beneath the castle. After 1.3 km, turn left onto an unmarked field path, which will také you onto a romantic country road through the meadows, across Nový Kostelec, and up to the intersection below the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, called Kostelec. Turn right, and after 100 m you’ll hit the yellow trail marker, which veers right behind the church along a field path. Follow it over Bukovec Hill to the hamlet of Pikov. In Pikov, turn left onto the path marked with a red-and-white triangle — this is the Trail across Dehetník Hill. It leads you over the highest hill in the Borotín area and brings you to Kamenná Lhota. Here, turn right and follow the blue trail marker to Borotín. In the town square, you continue on the J. E. Kypta educational trail, which leads back to the castle. Those who chose the longer loop will continue past the castle, following the road past the school toward Sudoměřice. Just past the village, turn left off the road onto a field path. Near the nearby farm, continue right into the hamlet by Šebor’s Mill. After the hamlet, turn left through the forest to the Černý les intersection and back to Sudoměřice.

Interesting places on the route

Borotín Castle, known as the Old Castle — The castle was likely founded in the second half of the 14th century by the Lords of Landštejn. This romantic site above the pond is said to have enchanted poet Karel Hynek Mácha, and a memorial plaque marks his visit to the castle. You will also find a statue of the White Lady, who, according to legend, still appears here.

Baroque farmyard in Borotín — A cultural monument currently undergoing a demanding restoration, located right across from the castle. It hosts cultural events such as Easter and harvest festivals. Currently, the entrance gate and the south wing with its typical Baroque gable have been restored.

Kostelec — The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, dating from the 12th century, is the oldest church in the Tábor region. Thanks to its location, it’s a prominent landmark. According to legend, the original rotunda here was founded by Czech Lech people returning from Regensburg in 845. Later, the church gained a Romanesque tower and a Gothic nave. It was surrounded by a wall that now forms the base of the current cemetery wall.

 Dehetník — The dominant peak of the Jistebnice Highlands (680 m above sea level) is reached via the educational trail across Dehetník Hill. This mysterious hill supposedly hides an ancient menhir shaped like a human head with shoulders. Beyond the hill, you can find the path to a sacred spring.

Kamenná Lhota — The local manor once hosted several famous figures, including writer Vladislav Vančura and writer Karel Nový. Composer Oskar Nedbal also found inspiration here when composing the operetta Polish Blood. Today, the manor is privately owned.

 Borotín township — One of the oldest settlements in the Tábor region, Borotín was promoted to a market town as early as 1333. You can admire the picturesque square with Baroque gables. One of the houses is the birthplace of composer and educator Jan Evangelista Kypta, and you can follow his footsteps on the local educational trail.