Around the Kadovský Viklan

Total length

7 km

Duration

2 hours

Terrain

Paved and unpaved paths

Difficulty level

Easy

Marking

Yes

How do you get to the start

From the Blatná train station, 5.5 km along the green tourist trail. From the train stop in the village of Tchořovice, just over 4 km along the blue tourist trail past beautiful ponds. By car or bus to Vrbno, Kadov, or Slatina.

Route description

The ET starts at the Velký Pálenec pond. The trail passes through enchanting South Bohemian nature around geological formations surrounded by legends, with the Kadovský Viklan as its centerpiece. The trail is suitable for hikers and cyclists, and most of the route is stroller-accessible. However, roughly half of the path runs through forest and field roads, and access to some geological formations requires passing through growing vegetation (forest, meadow). Some sections are on private property, so please respect peace and order for nature’s sake. Along the trail, there are information boards, and the route follows the green tourist trail, then from Vrbno follows the yellow trail.

Interesting places on the route

Hydrological Station Velký Pálenec – Established in 1925 in the former forester’s lodge of Prof. Karel Schäffer, it serves as a branch of the Faculty of Science at Charles University in Prague. It continues the legacy of the “flying” field station of Prof. Frič founded in 1888, one of the oldest in Europe. In 1883, the mother of writer Ladislav Stehlík was born here.

Forest – The trail passes near and sometimes through predominantly spruce and mixed forests, a haven for mushroom pickers and berry lovers in summer.

Amphibians – The overgrown banks and warm waters of smaller ponds like Žabinec, Malý Pálenec, and Žoldánka provide ideal habitats for amphibians.

Vrbno – A charming South Bohemian village surrounded by many ponds with old dams and mature oak trees, creating one of the most beautiful natural spots in the Blatná region. The village hosts ponds such as Malá and Velká Kuš, Velký and Starý Pálenec, Hadí, Vitanovy, Smyslov, and others, most suitable for swimming. The dominant feature is the Chapel of St. Anne, built in 1903. Nearby is a remarkable two-chamber stone building probably used historically as a drying house for fruit or grain. Refreshments and accommodation are available in Vrbno.

Fish Farming – On the hill behind Vrbno, there is a lovely view of Velká Kuš, the largest pond in the Lnáře pond systém. The first ponds were built as defensive elements around local fortresses, later from the 14th century for fish farming. These sophisticated pond systems remain a natural treasure and continue to provide excellent fish breeding conditions. Sport fishing is allowed on selected ponds, and public autumn fish harvests with fish sales are popular events.

Rock Basins in Granite Stones – A left turn into the forest before Kadov leads to a hill called Hora. Near its summit is a triangulation point, and about 200 m west lies a large granite boulder with two bowl-like depressions on top. These were once thought to be man-made but likely formed naturally by weathering. It is unknown whether locals used these formations.

Viklan – The Kadovský viklan is located in a small park near the municipal office in Kadov. It is one of the largest and best-preserved balancing stones in Bohemia, with an 11 m circumference, 1.5 m height, and an estimated weight of 30 tons. Until recently, it rocked with a mere touch. After vandalism, it was reinstalled in 1983 and again in 2003, thanks to Ing. Pavel Pavel from Strakonice. Since 1985, it is a protected natural monument. Small souvenirs can be bought at the municipal office.

Kadov – The village is dominated by the originally Gothic parish Church of St. Wenceslas, later rebuilt in late Baroque style. Inside are valuable organs from 1767. Nearby is a Gothic-Renaissance fortress, modified in the 18th and 19th centuries into a granary, and a Baroque rectory from 1750 with a mansard roof. Refreshments are available near the church.

Chapel and Tomb – Near Kadov’s church by the cemetery is the neo-Gothic Chapel of the Finding of the Holy Cross with the tomb of the former Lnáře estate owners, the Lilgenau barons. Built between 1856–1863.

View of the Countryside – Walk out of Kadov along a dirt road between meadows for a view north to the Brdy Highlands. The silhouette on the horizon is Třemšín Hill (827 m), the highest point in southern Brdy. To the south, you can see the Šumava Mountains.

Small Devil’s Bracelet – A protected natural formation of large granite boulders surrounded by local mysterious legends. Scientists explain it as natural weathering. Located about 50 m left of the field road in a forested patch, it has a 16 m circumference and resembles the nearby Large Devil’s Bracelet.

Sacrificial Stone – Another mysterious feature of the ET. From the main trail, turn right into the forest for about 200 m, then ascend a wooded slope near a campsite. The large stone has a nearly flat top with a carved bowl and a small drainage groove, believed by locals and some archaeologists to have served pagan sacrificial rituals. Others think it is a natural formation. The stone is about 2 m tall and is a protected natural monument.

Large Devil’s Bracelet – A group of boulders reachable by a forest path about 200 m left of the main trail, also known as the Devil’s Traveling Bag. Round boulders of various sizes form a 28 m circumference ring, some reaching 6 m high. Covered with dark weathering crust, it is a protected granite rock formation. With care, you can climb to the top for a pleasant view.

At the end of the marked ET near Slatina, you can connect to other trails leading, for example, to Chanovice. North of Slatina, there is a Jewish cemetery hidden in the forest and stone sundials near the road above the village. Chanovice features a castle with a craft exhibition, an open-air folk architecture museum, and a lookout tower.

Refreshments along the trail: Vrbno, Kadov, Chanovice