To the Ponds and Sand Quarries in Veselí Region

Total length

47 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

Marking

No

Route description

• Veselí nad Lužnicí
• Zlukov
• Drahov
• V Drápale
• Kardašova Řečice
• Velká Holná
• Evženovo Údolí
• Metel
• Veselí nad Lužnicí

Route Description:

🚲 Starting Point: Veselí nad Lužnicí town square
➡️ Cross the bridges over the Lužnice and Nežárka Rivers and follow Cycle Route No. 1195 to Zlukov.
➡️ Turn right and continue on the green-marked trail through Drahov to the pond system.
➡️ After 500 m, turn left again along the ponds.
➡️ At the yellow trail crossing, turn right and take an unmarked path to V Drápale.
➡️ At Popelov Pond, follow Cycle Route No. 1170 to Kardašova Řečice.
➡️ In Kardašova Řečice, pass through Benátky, Hradní, and Pod Hradem streets to exit the town.
➡️ Follow Obecní Nový and Dubný Ponds, then take the blue-marked path left and continue on Cycle Route No. 1170 to Holná Pond.
➡️ At Velká Holná shelter, turn right onto Vydýmačská Street leading to Evženovo Údolí.
➡️ Continue around Dolní Vydýmač Pond, through Cikarské polesí to Karštejn.
➡️ You now have two options:

• 1st option: Continue to Metel junction, then follow the Nežárka Cycle Route back to Veselí nad Lužnicí.
• 2nd option: In Hamr, turn left, go through Val to Vlkovský Pond, and take the yellow-marked trail through Vlkov past the dune and sand quarries back to Veselí nad Lužnicí.

Interesting places on the route

PP Lužnice

The Lužnice Natural Monument consists of the Lužnice River bed. In Veselí nad Lužnicí, it also includes a short section of the Nežárka River, from the border of the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area to its confluence with the Lužnice. The site was designated a protected area due to the presence of rare and endangered species of plants and animals, including the thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus), the weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis), and the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra).

PP Farářský rybník

The Farářský Pond Natural Monument protects a floating plant community, including the white water lily (Nymphaea alba).

Přední Sax and Hluboký Sax Ponds

The Sax Pond was built by Jindřich IV of Hradec at the end of the 15th century. Originally, it formed one large water body together with Přední Sax, covering almost 40 hectares. In the 16th century, it was divided into Přední Sax and Hluboký Sax.

Popelov Pond

This pond was created between the 15th and 16th centuries and served as a central water reservoir for surrounding ponds.

Holná Pond

The first mention of the pond dates back to 1384, making it one of the oldest ponds in the Jindřichův Hradec region. A notable feature is Naxos Island, named after the Greek island.

Dolní Vydýmač Pond

Built in 1555, this pond was preceded by a small dam structure in the 14th century, which stored water for a hammer mill below. The pond took its current form in 1555, when Jan Šťastný Pušperský, the governor of the Hradec estate, oversaw the construction of a new dam. Initially, the pond was not used for fish farming, but rather to capture water from the Holenský Stream for Kařtejn Pond below.

Karštejn, Velký Závistivý, and Malý Závistivý Ponds

Around 1550, a pond known as Karlštejn existed here, but it was later called Karštejn. Due to water seepage, the pond was eventually drained. The Velký Závistivý and Malý Závistivý ponds were built in 1558 under the supervision of Jan Šťastný Pušperský. On the southeastern shore of Malý Závistivý Pond, the Karštejn Forest Manor stands, possibly a former fortified tower connected to the Karlštejn Pond. On the northwestern shore, the Karštejn Bastion housed the pond warden responsible for Karštejn, Malý and Velký Závistivý, and other ponds in the area.

Jez Metel

A non-navigable weir on the Nežárka River.

Nežárka River

The Nežárka River is a right tributary of the Lužnice River, 56.2 km long. It originates from the confluence of the Kamenice and Žirovnice streams in Jarošov nad Nežárkou and flows into the Lužnice in Veselí nad Lužnicí.

PP Kramářka

The Kramářka Natural Monument, located on the right bank of the Nežárka River, was designated in 2016. The site was once a peat mining area, now transformed into ponds and small lakes. Notable species include the great snipe (Gallinago media), the round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), and the moor frog (Rana arvalis).

Jez Hamr

A navigable stone-paved weir on the Nežárka River. Nearby is the Hamr Campground with a boat rental service.

Hamr Fortress

Built in the second half of the 15th century, the fortress served as the residence of Jindřich ze Sobětic. Later, the Valovští z Úsuší family rebuilt it. In 1627, the fortress burned down and later became part of the Schwarzenberg estate.

Veselská Sand Quarries (Vlkovská pískovna)

These quarries were formed between 1952 and 1986 due to gravel mining. Today, the area consists of five lakes covering 240 hectares, offering ideal conditions for swimming, relaxation, and sports activities. A nature trail runs around the lakes.

PP Kozí vršek

This is the oldest nature reserve in the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area, protected since 1924. It is home to large populations of the spring pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vernalis), a highly endangered species found only in a few locations in the Czech Republic.

PR Písečný přesyp

This nature reserve consists of wind-blown sands that formed at the end of the last Ice Age, creating dunes 4 to 6 meters high. The reserve covers 0.83 hectares and is home to protected species of flora and fauna. The shifting sands support unique sand-loving plants, and in spring, colonies of wild bees can be observed.