Into the Underground in Úsilné and to the Living Water

This cycling trip takes you from Hluboká nad Vltavou through picturesque South Bohemian villages full of interesting sights. You’ll descend underground, recall the history of the Rudolfov silver-bearing district, visit pilgrimage sites, drink from a healing spring, see rustic Baroque architecture, and perhaps even try your luck at fishing. The 20 km route runs mostly on asphalt and gravel paths.

Route directions

Central parking lot in Hluboká nad Vltavou – Zámostí – immediately after the bridge, turn right onto the green trail (on a meadow among the trees is Záviš’s monument) to Hosín – continue on cycle route 1054 to Hrdějovice – at the bus turnaround connect to the blue trail and follow it through the forest past the chapel into Borek – turn right onto Pod Vodárnou Street, then Pod Lesem, U školky, Na Výsluní and turn left across the main road – continue via Žižkova Street, left on Dlouhá Street, and then right to Úsilné – through the roundabout and by Makro to Hrdějovice – follow routes 122 and then 1052 – turn left to the Závlahy gravel pit – along the right bank of the Vltava and then right to Opatovice – follow the blue trail to Zámostí – turn left across the bridge back to Hluboká nad Vltavou.

What to see

Hluboká nad Vltavou – visit the castle and the Aleš South Bohemian Gallery, enjoy adrenaline and fun in the sports and leisure area, summer pool, golf course, or visit animals in the Hluboká Zoo

Zámostí – stone Záviš Monument commemorating the execution of Záviš of Falkenstein in August 1290

Hosín – neo-Gothic Church of St. Peter and Paul from the late 19th century containing an apse from the original Romanesque church – the oldest building in the České Budějovice region. Several examples of rustic folk Baroque. Nearby is the Hosín airfield.

Hrdějovice – Chapel of the Virgin Mary on the village square from the mid-18th century and the Pilgrimage Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes on Těšín Hill with a healing spring. A log sanctuary was built at the spring as early as the 16th century, attracting those suffering from various illnesses.

Borek – former Schwarzenberg coaching inn (Classicist building from 1815–1816), to the north are former kaolin mines called Orty, which contributed to České Budějovice becoming a pencil-making hub. Entry into the underground with its unique grid layout of tunnels is prohibited for safety.

Úsilné – Elias Gallery – a former drainage gallery now open to the public, once used to drain mines in the Rudolfov ore district. Digging began on St. Elias Day, July 20, 1574. Of the original 3 km length, 350 m are accessible between Úsilné and the water shaft near the Hůry–Úsilné road.

Bronze fountain with a donkey and two bizarre creatures spouting delicious mineral water from the Elias Gallery; next to it is the neo-Gothic St. Wenceslas Chapel from 1900.

Several buildings in the South Bohemian rustic Baroque style, particularly notable for their large volute gables: the most remarkable is house no. 1 "U Sukdolů" – said to have the largest volutes in the region – and house no. 9 "U Prokšů".

Opatovice – protected heritage zone with classic rural homesteads in Baroque style and the Chapel of the Holy Trinity from 1863.

What to experience

• Enjoy panoramic views of České Budějovice and the entire basin from the elevated village of Hosín
• Visit the pilgrimage site in Hrdějovice and drink from the healing spring
• Descend into the deep underground and tour the Elias Gallery in Úsilné. The route follows metal walkways, with dripstone straws and sinter formations decorating the ceiling. Tours are possible upon prior arrangement.
• Refresh yourself with crystal-clear mineral water from the underground spring in Úsilné at the local fountain – drinking water is available free and year-round
• Relax and fish at the Závlahy gravel pit, regularly stocked with trophy fish, and have your catch prepared into a meal at the local restaurant.

Contacts

www.hluboka.cz
www.eliasovastola.cz
www.rybolov-zavlahy.cz