THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES OF ŽĎÁRSKÉ VRCHY HILLS BY BIKE

TIP: A guidebook with a detailed tourist map of all three routes is available free of charge at the information centres and the headquarters of the Administration of the Žďárské vrchy Hills Protected Landscape Area. Out of interest – the starting point of the Žďárský Circular Trail is the relaxation area by the Pilská nádrž Reservoir and the start of the Svratecko-hlinecký okruh Circular Trail is 9. května Square in Svratka or Betlém in Hlinsko.

But now back to our improved Nové Město circuit starting at the Vysočina Arena.

Route description or Where to go

Since each of the circuits is relatively very long, we will choose a modified route of the Nové Město Circuit to visit the most characteristic and beautiful places of the most picturesque part of the Žďárské vrchy Hills - Sněžné, Milovy, Krátká, Blatiny, Samotín, Věcov, Daňkovice and finally Jimramov. Let's wander from the area of Beetles to the vicinity of the Čtyři palice Rock Formation.

The Jimramovsko district is the easternmost part of the Nové Město area, where the world of forests and mountains of the Žďárské vrchy Hills breaks into the deep valley of the Svratka River The picturesque historic market town on the Czech-Moravian border with a reputation for being the "Czech Merano" is the cradle or workplace of a remarkable number of personalities from the artistic and scientific spheres.

Here we can find the birthplace of the playwrights and writers Mrštík brothers or the equally famous Jan Karafiát, author of the legendary Beetles, a popular Czech children’s book. The founder of the Czech Hiking Club, Dr. Guth-Jarkovský, holidayed here, and we could continue to name-drop. The municipality set up the Hall of townsfolk, in the former school, which commemorates the work of Jan Karafiát and offers an exhibition about life in the Vysočina Highlands.

As Jimramov lies in a river valley, the first ascent will mean climbing the steep surrounding hills. The less frequented road to Nové Město na Moravě will take you above the town. But from the viewpoint you will continue further on a forest track towards Jimramovské Pavlovice.

The picturesque village with timbered buildings will open your way through the world of ancient pastoral villages, which this part of the Žďárské vrchy Hills is dotted with. There will be more drops of sweat on the steep climb up to Míchov, where a beautiful view of the countryside opens up, before you cool down on the descent to the farming settlement of Věcov.

The winding asphalt roads lead you to Odranec, a true paradise of log cabins and the romantic, rugged beauty of the Vysočina Highlands. Keep to the cycle paths so you don't get lost in the network of local roads, and heading through the romantic Kuklík and the settlements of Balkán and Bořina you will reach the road in Vříšt'. Refreshment in local pubs will come in handy, because in front of you is the centre of the Sněžné region.

The Záložna Hotel, famous in the past for the visits of famous personalities, has perhaps seen better days, but Sněžné is now the birthplace of many unique regional products - herbal teas, syrups, marmalades and gingerbread. The road lead you to the nearby „Live open-air museum“, and the village of Krátká, and a protected reservation of rural buildings.

From there you will climb to the highest point of the route above the equally romantic Samotín in the heart of the Žďár forests to visit another legendary settlement Blatiny, perhaps stopping at the popular refreshment stand U Kolouška. The climbing base of the rock climbers who like to conquer the surrounding peaks has recently become famous for the local Hofr coffee roastery, which you can enjoy right next door at the café accompanied by buns baked in the tiled oven.

You can return from the romance of the "old days" to the modern present in the tourist village of Milovy, with its many modern hotel resorts and a campsite by the famous pond. Underneath the large Čtyři palice Rock Formation head to the Bohemian side by crossing the Svratka River, which forms the regional border and also that of the Pardubice Region, where you will reach Březina via České Milovy.

Children will especially enjoy a visit to the Na Bělisku guesthouse, as they will discover Kuky's forest with a trail inspired by the famous children's film. You will then leave the cycle path at the Kučerův mlýn settlement and cross the Bohemian-Moravian border back towards Krásná in the Vysočina Region.

The hike to Daňkovice on the hillside of Buchtův kopec hill is well worth the effort, as you will be rewarded with amazing views of the countryside and a great meal in the famous Selský dvůr Restaurant. To return to Jimramov, we recommend going through the village of Javorek, from where you can take a more off-road forest track along the slopes of the Prosička Peak.

Cyclists who want an easier route may choose the road that leads through Jimramovské Paseky Upland Pastures before a descent into the Svratka valley. However, the two routes meet again at the château in Jimramov, the destination of our trip.

Photo: archive of Vysočina Tourism, Petr Lemberk, Jakub Čermák, Stanislav Bárta