Slepičí Hory (Hen Hills) Hike

Total length

18 km

Duration

6 hours

Terrain

Paved forest, field, and asphalt roads

Difficulty level

Moderately demanding

Marking

Yes

Route description

The starting point is the Information Centre in Kaplice, located on Linecká Street near the town library and cultural house with a cinema. Here, you can get detailed maps and up-to-date information about the trail and local events, as well as public transport connections.

 From the Information Centre, proceed along Linecká Street toward Kaplice town square, then via Kostelní Street to Farské náměstí (Parish Square). Here you join the red tourist trail, which you will follow almost the entire way to Benešov nad Černou. The route is easy to follow and full of interesting stops.

 After about 2 km, you reach the village of Blansko, continuing on a road marked also as cycle trail no. 1187 for about 1 km before the trails split. You descend to the Černá river and join the educational trail „Údolím Černé“ (Valley of Černá). You will walk this trail in reverse, but the information panels are independent, so this is not an issue. Near Mlýn u Dubu, the red trail and the educational trail separate for about a kilometer. Both lead to the Soběnov dam, but the educational trail crosses by a ford and passes the ruins of Sokolčí Castle. If you feel energetic, také the marked detour to explore the castle ruins.

From the dam, continue with cycle trail 1187 through the settlements Děkanské Skaliny, Velké Skaliny, and Daleká Popelice to the important crossroads Pod Kohoutem. From here, you can také a short 500-meter detour to the highest peak Kohout (871 m). Previously, there was a wooden observation tower, but now only a transmission tower remains, and the summit is forested. The better views are from the slightly lower peak Vysoký kámen (865 m), locally called Slepice. 

To reach it, walk about 2 km mainly through forest paths with some ups and downs. The final section requires careful attention to trail markers due to recent logging. According to local legends, fire signals were once sent from the hill, and it was a cult site for the Celts. Today, we recommend sending signals only via your mobile phone.

After enjoying the views, descend carefully via the so-called Heavenly Stairs and old hunting trails. The last 4 km stretch leads to Benešov nad Černou, starting through forest and ending with a meadow path.

The trail finishes at the town square in Benešov nad Černou, where you can catch buses back to Kaplice. If time allows, enjoy refreshments, visit the local information centre, or také a walk along the Černá river valley on the educational trail „Brána do Novohradských hor“ (Gateway to Novohradské Mountains)

Interesting places on the route

Kaplice Urban Monument Zone – The first written mention of Kaplice dates back to 1257. Over its rich history, Kaplice changed hands several times. It belonged to the Bavarians of Strakonice, the Lords of Pořešín, the Rosenbergs, the Švamberks, and after the Battle of White Mountain, came under the rule of the Buquoys. It is therefore not surprising that several valuable buildings from various architectural periods have been preserved in the town. Due to the concentration of historically significant buildings and structures, the historic core of Kaplice was declared an urban monument zone in 1990.

The oldest monuments in Kaplice are two churches located east of the main square. The Church of St. Florian is a single-nave church with Baroque furnishings. Its current appearance dates from the early 16th century. Originally, a Romanesque chapel likely stood on the site. The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is documented in 1383. Interestingly, the two churches stand next to each other, which is highly unusual for a town the size of Kaplice and has given rise to various theories and speculations.

The center of Kaplice is the main square with a Renaissance town hall. Also noteworthy is a stone fountain (1646) with a former pillory column, house No. 215 with figurative sgraffito, and house No. 206 with a stone portal. This house was originally a brewery, later served as a theater, and currently its basement hosts the Krampus Gallery.

Krampus Gallery – The gallery transports you into the demonic world of Krampuses and Perchts. You can view detailed hand-carved wooden or leather masks up close, along with original Krampus costumes and gear. The masks originate from Upper Austria. Krampus is an Alpine demonic creature, a mythical beast, half-animal and half-human, which appears mainly during the Advent season. The exhibition is open from February to September. Costumed night tours with light effects and surprises are available by arrangement.

Sokolčí Castle – Just beyond the village of Soběnov, on a promontory above the Černá stream, lie the well-visible remains of Sokolčí Castle. However, little is known about its history. Available sources suggest that the castle was probably founded after 1358 by Jindřich of Velešín, a member of the Lords of Michalovice, and was already described as ruined after 1541 – less than 200 years later.

Sokolčí, along with the castles of Pořešín, Louzek, Velešín, and the stronghold Tichá, are all ruins that can be visited along the Malše River. The association Castles on the Malše has been engaged for years in their preservation and public access as part of its Zemská Cesta (Land Route) project. Their greatest success is with Pořešín Castle, located about 7 km north of Kaplice on a narrow, forested promontory above the Malše River’s left bank.

Soběnov Dam – On the Černá stream near Soběnov, a dam completed in 1925 became the oldest functional reservoir in South Bohemia. Its original stone dam holds a lake with an area of 3.9 hectares and a volume of 73,500 cubic meters of water. The reservoir was mainly used for energy production in a nearby hydroelectric power plant in the Černá valley, where water was directed via tunnel and underground pipes, with a vertical drop of 59.5 meters.

However, during the 2002 floods, the Zlatá Ktiš dam on the upper reaches of the Černá burst, and the surge of water overwhelmed part of the Soběnov dam. The flood wave devastated a 2-kilometer stretch down to the power plant near the village of Blansko. In a single moment, the once lively stream became a nearly stagnant body of water in a huge riverbed with exposed boulders. In 2006, a new concrete dam faced with stone was built in place of the original embankment. The flood event also led to the restoration of the “Valley of the Černá” nature trail.

“Valley of the Černá” Educational Trail – This 4-kilometer trail features stops highlighting the natural beauty, settlement history, and uses of the scenic Černá stream area. The trail begins with an introduction and continues to the oldest water reservoir in South Bohemia, near Soběnov. This dam is ideal for a longer stop, especially for sport or recreational fishing enthusiasts. Non-fishing visitors can continue to a rock outcrop that offers a 25-meter climbing wall.

From there, the trail leads to the ruins of Sokolčí Castle and then continues along the “wild” stream to a ford near the mill at Dub. In the past, the Černá was also used for timber rafting, as explained at another stop. About half a kilometer before the trail ends, the path crosses to the opposite bank via a ford, though you should still be able to cross dry-footed on the stones. The trail ends at a hydroelectric power station, built in 1924. The final information panel details the station’s technical marvels.

Benešov nad Černou Urban Monument Zone – Benešov nad Černou is the northern gateway to the Novohradské Mountains and is also an ideal starting point for discovering the nearby Slepičí Mountains. The town lies on the main road from Kaplice to Nové Hrady, and no one passing through can miss the square with its dominant Church of St. James the Greater. But it’s not the only monument, and in 1995, the town was declared an urban monument zone.

Church of St. James the Greater – The first records of the village date to 1306, and by 1332 the church was already established. Originally Gothic, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1630 thanks to Marie Magdalena Buquoy. The church’s interior and furnishings date from the 19th century.

Town Hall – The square features many interesting and very old buildings. One of them is the town hall, built in 1594. Above the entrance is a five-petaled rose, and on the façade are sundials and two coats of arms – the left is Švamberk, and the right is the Buquoy alliance coat of arms of Countess Marie Magdalena di Biglia.

House No. 125 – Next to the town hall stands one of the oldest surviving buildings, dating to the 14th century. It was created by merging two late-Gothic houses, later rebuilt in Renaissance style. Today, it is one of the most significant buildings on the square, not only for its architecture but also for the services it offers. Inside are the offices of a general practitioner, dentist, pediatrician, a senior citizens’ club, a public library, and a tourist information center.

Plague Column of St. John of Nepomuk – Another significant architectural feature on the square is the Plague Column of St. John of Nepomuk, built in 1726 and adorned with statues of St. Florian, St. Sebastian, and St. Roch.

“Gateway to the Novohradské Mountains” Educational Trail – This trail is intended for hikers. It is only 6 kilometers long and features eight stops. The trail has a general educational theme and introduces visitors to historical, natural, and cultural landmarks of Benešov nad Černou and its surroundings.
The route begins on the town square and continues to the Adalbert Stifter Memorial (his life and work are closely tied to the town), then to Gabriela Glassworks, to the Černá stream, and the former poorhouse, which is connected to another notable local figure – the writer Josef Gangel