The First Three Peaks of the Novohradské Mountains

Total length

9.4 km

Duration

approx. 5 hours

Terrain

paved and unpaved forest paths

Difficulty level

• moderately difficult to challenging
• Note: Not suitable for strollers or wheelchair users.

Marking

YES

Route description

Each peak is accessible via a marked hiking trail with red striped waymarkers. On each summit, you’ll find a post with a metal stamp bearing the emblem of the respective mountain. If you manage to climb all three peaks and collect the stamps on a summit sheet (available at the Information Centre in Nové Hrady), you can exchange it after your hike – or by mail – for a commemorative coin to remind you forever of your successful conquest of the first three peaks of the Novohradské Mountains. Experienced hikers can complete this tour in a single day. For those who prefer a slower pace, have young children with them, or want to fully appreciate the beauty of these mountains, it's best to spread the route over two days.

Whichever order you choose to tackle the peaks, the ideal starting point is Hojná Voda, a village accessible via direct bus from České Budějovice. Most trails here start from the square in front of the hotel, where you’ll also find large information boards with maps. The trails to Kraví hora and Kuní hora initially run together through the village before turning right toward a parking lot. From here, follow the green and red markers, with the red trail soon turning right into a dense spruce forest. This section requires careful navigation, but following the red signs diligently will lead you up a steep ascent to the most famous rock formation of the entire mountain range: Napoleon’s Head. The formation is unmarked, so if you’re focused only on the path, you might miss it.

The summit isn’t far from here. As a reward, you’ll find a post with the summit stamp and a viewing platform offering breathtaking views across South Bohemia on clear days.

For the descent, you can return the way you came or continue on the green trail from the Pod Kraví horou junction toward Kuní hora. The first stretch is an easy, scenic walk to the Pod Kuní horou junction about 1.5 km away. There, the green trail splits off, and the red trail climbs steeply but briefly to the summit. This section passes through rock formations resembling ancient castle walls, with steep, slanted stones and minor rocky steps. Good footwear and caution are essential here.

The summit is a flat, circular plateau reminiscent of an ancient sacrificial site. After a break, descend via the red and green trails back to Hojná Voda.

The journey isn’t over yet – the next peak is Vysoká, the third-highest summit of the Novohradské Mountains. The trail starts from the upper viewpoint terrace above Hojná Voda. From here, a circular red-marked route leads across the summit – a total distance of 8 km, which takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.

Along the way, you can detour to the Hojná Voda Primeval Forest Nature Reserve, where a nature trail runs through the untouched wilderness. After the detour, we recommend returning to the red trail to conquer the peak. The route passes impressive rock formations with unexpected views. The summit is surrounded by dense forest, so there are no panoramic vistas. A lookout tower once stood here, but it has long since disappeared. However, the mystical atmosphere still makes the climb worthwhile.

Interesting places on the route

Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady Comforter in Dobrá Voda
The dominant landmark of the Novohradské Mountains, visible from afar when approaching from České Budějovice. The foundation stone of this Baroque church was laid in 1706. After its solemn consecration in 1715, the church gradually gained fame as one of the most significant Marian pilgrimage sites in Bohemia. It was not uncommon for pilgrims from Bohemia, Moravia, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia to gather here. The importance of the site was enhanced by the presence of a spa, which inspired the famous writer Zikmund Winter to refer to the place as the "South Bohemian Lourdes." In recent years, the church has undergone a demanding renovation, including the restoration of its interior. It is no exaggeration to say that the result is impressive and definitely worth a visit. The church is open to visitors even outside liturgical ceremonies and serves as a venue for cultural events alongside church services.

Hojná Voda
The first written mention of this settlement, which today is part of the municipality of Horní Stropnice, dates back to 1553, when Wilhelm von Rosenberg brought 26 settlers and woodcutters here. They established the village called Vilémova Hora, probably in honor of Wilhelm von Rosenberg. Another mention of Hojná Voda appears in 1564 when a healing spring was discovered here. After the discovery of the spring, a spa center was established, which attracted many prominent visitors. During its heyday, notable figures such as Wilhelm von Rosenberg, Peter Wok von Rosenberg, members of the Buquoy family, the writer and historian Zikmund Winter, and others visited this place. In 1623, Vilémova Hora was renamed Heilbrunn, and its Czech name was given later by František Palacký. In 1938, over 600 residents lived in Hojná Voda, including 15 Czechs. After World War II, most of the population was displaced. With the creation of the border zone, which restricted access, the Novohradské Mountains, including Hojná Voda, became a nearly forgotten region. Today, Hojná Voda is a popular starting point for hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing.

Hojná Voda Primeval Forest
The primeval forest of Hojná Voda is a significant natural monument not only for the Novohradské Mountains but for Central Europe as a whole. Together with the Žofín Forest, it is one of the oldest preserved forests in the Czech Republic. It was declared a nature reserve in 1838 by Count Georg Buquoy. The location of the reserve can be found on maps, and although the path is not officially marked, reaching the forest entrance is not difficult. From Hojná Voda, follow the red trail toward Vysoká. Near the isolated house number 120, the red trail turns off the asphalt road, but the path to the forest continues along this road. The walk takes about 40 minutes. A nature trail, created by the Czech Forest Authority, runs through the forest. On eleven information panels along the circular route, you can learn not only about the forest itself but also about forest cartography, forestry practices, and an interesting historical event.