Petrovice u Sušice: Trails, Landscape and History

Petrovice u Sušice lies on the edge of the Přírodní park Kochánov. The town offers a range of options to consider when planning your trip: circular trails connected with gold mining and gold panning, routes through the park’s landscape, historic architecture and the seasonal Koupák Petrovice.

Circular trails with different themes

The Farmářská stezka passes largely through the landscape of the Přírodní park Kochánov and offers views of the surrounding Šumava hills. Preserved and well-maintained examples of vernacular and rural architecture lie along the route. The landscape and rural heritage shape the trail together, setting it apart from the educational trails focused on the history of gold.

The “Po stopách středověkého dolování zlata” educational trail is a 17-kilometer circular route that starts and ends in Petrovice u Sušice. It is marked and has five information boards. Its theme is the history of gold mining in the Petrovice area. It is considerably longer than the shorter circular trails, making its length a useful guide for planning your time.

A shorter option is the seven-kilometer “Rýžování zlata a putování po Petrovicku a Regenu” educational trail, described as easy. From the village square in Petrovice, it runs through Chamutice, Kojšice and Jiřičná before returning to Petrovice. It shares information about gold panning, which was typical of this area. This gives you a choice between two routes that both explore the history of gold but differ in length and specific theme: gold mining on the 17-kilometer trail and gold panning on the seven-kilometer loop.

The Vlčí jámy educational trail is an easy, 3.5-kilometer circular route from the village square in Petrovice through Vojetice and back. Along the way, you’ll find wooden sculptures made during Petrovice’s traditional annual chainsaw-carving event. At 3.5 kilometers, this is the shortest of the circular trails described here; its length and stated difficulty make it easy to compare with the seven- and 17-kilometer routes.

Architecture and historic traces

The Kostel sv. Petra a Pavla church dates back to the 13th century. Its distinctive architectural features include a Romanesque tower with battlements and a surrounding wall. On the eastern edge of Petrovice u Sušice is the Tamíř mill, also known as Damarsch: a small watermill with a Baroque gable.

The Vlčí jámy also have a history of their own. These wolf traps, about four meters deep, were built by dry-stacking stones from the forest in the 18th and 19th centuries. Their approximate depth and construction offer a tangible sense of the type of historic structure they are; the dates also place them within a longer period of local history.

Seasonal Koupák Petrovice swimming area

Koupák Petrovice is a natural swimming area with a grassy shore and concrete bottom. The facilities include a large pool and a children’s paddling pool. Other listed amenities include refreshments, a covered garden area, a football pitch, a fire pit and swings. The offering is seasonal, and some features may vary by season. Check whether the facility is open before your visit.

At Koupák, entering the grounds, moving around the grounds and swimming are at your own risk. Follow the information provided on site. This makes it easier to distinguish the destination’s different features: trails with their own lengths and themes, architectural landmarks, and a seasonal swimming option with clearly stated visitor conditions.

Discover more destinations: Dlouhá Ves U Susice, Hojsova Stráž, Bernartice, Hejná, Křenice, Frymburk U Sušice, Měčín, Bezděkov U Klatov.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Klatovy.