To the Lakes and Sandpits of Vitorazsko

Total length

53 km

Duration

3 hours

Terrain

Paved (forest/field paths), unpaved (forest/field paths), asphalt, suitable for trekking bikes

Recommended period for visiting

Spring, summer, autumn

Difficulty level

Easy

How do you get to the start

České Velenice

How to get back

Through Dvory nad Lužnicí and Nová Ves nad Lužnicí back to České Velenice

Route description

• České Velenice
• Josef Pond
• Krabonoš
• Halámky Sandpit
• Spáleniště
• Rapšach
• Františkov
• Suchdol nad Lužnicí
• Hrdlořezy
• Dvory nad Lužnicí
• Nová Ves nad Lužnicí
• České Velenice

From České Velenice, we follow cycle route no. 341 to the Krabonošská Niva Nature Reserve. At a crossroads, we turn right towards Krabonoš, passing the ruins of a parish church and the Church of St. John the Baptist. From Krabonoš, the journey continues to the Halámky Sandpit and then to Rapšach. From Rapšach, the route leads through Františkov to Klikov, and along the Large Sandpit to Suchdol nad Lužnicí. From Suchdol, we ride through the Tři Facky settlement to Hrdlořezy. Finally, the route goes through Dvory nad Lužnicí and Nová Ves nad Lužnicí back to České Velenice.

Interesting places on the route

• PR Krabonošská Niva

  The Krabonošská Niva Nature Reserve was established in 1998 along the course of the Lužnice River. The wetlands and meadows in this area provide a habitat for many rare and endangered species.

• Lužnice River

  The river originates in the Austrian part of the Novohradské Mountains and has a total length of 199 km. Its course is calm and meandering. The section between Nová Ves and Suchdol nad Lužnicí has preserved its natural flow with meanders and oxbow lakes.

• PR Horní Lužnice

  The Horní Lužnice Nature Reserve was declared in 1994 and protects a 16 km section of the Lužnice River with numerous oxbow lakes and ponds. It is one of the last naturally meandering lowland rivers in Bohemia.
  The flora includes yellow iris, sweet flag, marsh grass-of-Parnassus, and spring snowflake. The wetlands along the river provide an important refuge for various species.
  To date, 168 vertebrate species have been confirmed in the reserve, including 19 fish species, 10 amphibian species, 5 reptile species, 109 bird species, and 25 mammal species. Notable species include the common kingfisher, Eurasian otter, agile frog, and common goldeneye.

• Halámky Sandpit

  The sandpit is primarily used for gravel and sand extraction, but fishing is also possible on both banks. However, visitors mainly appreciate the ideal conditions for swimming.

• Horní Kočvarů (1.7397 ha) and Dolní Kočvarů (1.4187 ha)

  The Kočvarů Ponds form a cascade—once Horní Kočvarů is full, water flows into Dolní Kočvarů. Dolní Kočvarů has a lower drainage channel that directs excess water across a marshy meadow into the Dračice River. The lower dam of Dolní Kočvarů is built on a river terrace of the Dračice.

• Dračice River

  The Dračice River is a right tributary of the Lužnice River and originates near the settlement of Kaproun in the Novobystřicko region. In some parts, the river has a mountainous character with numerous rapids. The presence of rare species led to the designation of the Dračice Nature Reserve in 1998.

• PP Sandpit near Dračice

  The protected area is located on the site of a former gravel quarry and was designated in 2001, covering 7.96 hectares. The quarrying process exposed unique geological and geomorphological formations. Small wetlands have formed at the bottom, providing habitat for endangered plants and animals.
  Notable species include the natterjack toad, agile frog, European tree frog, common viper, and common lizard. Several species of ground beetles have also been recorded here.

• PR Na Ivance

  This nature reserve, established in 1998, protects a 7 km section of the Lužnice River along with a short stretch of the Dračice River at its confluence. Due to its proximity to the Horní Lužnice Nature Reserve, additional invertebrate species are likely to be found here.

• Velká Pískovna (Great Sandpit)

  Gravel and sand extraction took place here from the 1970s onward. After quarrying ceased, the pits naturally filled with water. The Tušť Sandpit is an ideal spot for families with children, featuring sandy beaches, restaurants, and two campsites.

• NPR Žofinka

  The Žofinka National Nature Reserve was declared in 2013. It is a transitional bog composed of a natural peat bog and a peat forest.
  The main protected areas include bog pine forests and raised bogs. Significant plant species include bog pine, marsh Labrador tea, bilberry, lingonberry, common heather, etc. The animal life consists primarily of forest-dwelling vertebrates, with 42 species recorded so far.
  Among invertebrates, spiders and some beetle species are particularly common. The public is not permitted to enter the reserve.

• PP Žofina Huť

  This protected area, located near Nová Ves nad Lužnicí, is home to the protected Alcon blue butterfly.