The Žďár Hills on a gravel bike: from the Pilská Reservoir to Dráteničky
This 87-kilometre route showcases the very best that the Žďárské vrchy have to offer gravel enthusiasts. It takes you along quiet country lanes, forest tracks and gravel sections, past ponds, rock formations and picturesque mountain villages. A varied landscape awaits you, full of views, deep forests and places where you can experience the Vysočina region at its most authentic.
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| Route Length | 87 km |
| Time Difficulty | 6 h |
| Elevation | 1012 m |
| Starting Point | Žďár nad Sázavou |
| Destination | Žďár nad Sázavou |
| Surface / Terrain | a combination of tarmac roads, forest tracks and gravel sections |
The ride begins in the square in Žďár nad Sázavou and, right at the start, takes you to the Pilská Reservoir, a popular recreational spot on the outskirts of the town. From there, it continues via Polnička and Radostín towards Malý Dářek and on to Vojnov Městec. Along the way, you’ll also come across Michal Olšiak’s ‘Border Stone’, one of the artist’s most famous sculptures; his works are inextricably linked with the Vysočina region.
The next section of the route leads via Herálec to Svratka, one of the centres of the northern part of the Žďárské vrchy hills. Not far from here lies the Karlštejn hunting lodge, a romantic building surrounded by forests. It is in this section that the landscape begins to rise to higher ground, rewarding cyclists with beautiful views and minimal traffic.
This is followed by the most picturesque section of the entire route. The paths wind past the rocky landmarks of the Žďárské vrchy, including the Čtyři palice area, through Milovy and past the Dráteničky natural monument. The character of the landscape changes constantly here – meadows, forest clearings, rock formations and traditional villages alternate. It is here that the magic of a gravel bike really comes into its own, as it handles both tarmac and forest tracks equally well.
Passing through Kadov, Koníkov, Vojtěchov and Zubří, the route turns back south towards Nové Město na Moravě, a well-known centre for active holidays and mountain biking. The final kilometres then lead back to Žďár nad Sázavou.
This route is ideal for cyclists who want to experience the diversity of the Žďárské vrchy hills in a single day – from ponds and forests through villages to the iconic rock formations, which are among the most beautiful spots in the entire Vysočina region.
Photo: Ondra Šmída
