Discover Vrhaveč: Cycling, Hiking, Local History

Vrhaveč combines open countryside with opportunities for cycling and hiking, as well as a few historic sites. The town lies in a basin through which the Drnový potok flows, flanked by gentle hills to the west and east. The main cycle route connects Klatovy’s Luby railway station with the municipalities of Vrhaveč, while hiking trails pass through Hejno and lead to selected destinations. Let the route that interests you give your stay a clear focus: a cycle route connection or a day walking along marked trails.

Countryside between the basin and the mountain pass

Hejno lies in a mountain pass between Holý vrch, at 547 metres, and Červený vrch, at 509 metres. From Hejno, the view extends over parts of Klatovy, Pošumaví, and the Bohemian Forest. The area therefore offers a variety of landscapes: the basin with the Drnový potok near Vrhaveč and the pass with its views near Hejno. These two local landmarks can help you shape your tour around either the stream and hills or the surrounding viewpoints.

Cycling around Vrhaveč

The gently rolling countryside around Vrhaveč is well suited to easy cycling trips. The main cycle route connects Klatovy’s Luby railway station with the municipalities of Vrhaveč; its section through Vrhaveč and Běšiny is more than 11 kilometres long. The route thus runs from a named starting point in Klatovy to the municipalities of Vrhaveč, while the stated distance applies specifically to the section through Vrhaveč and Běšiny.

Near Hejno, Spálený les adds a network of forest paths and purpose-built adrenaline cycling trails to the cycling options. This gives you two distinct choices: a named cycle route or trails in the forest. Check the trail conditions locally before planning your ride.

Hiking trails and places to visit on foot

A red-marked hiking trail runs through Hejno, connecting Klatovy and Velhartice. Yellow-marked trails lead from Loreta or Týnec to the ruins of the Baroque chapel of St John of Nepomuk. The chapel dates from 1730 and lies in the forest about one kilometre from Loreta. The routes serve different purposes: the red trail connects two named places, while the yellow approaches lead to a specific historic site. Trail conditions can change, so check them before setting out.

Historic sites in the area

Kouskova Lhota in Černé Krávy was a former fortified manor with a farmstead dating from the first half of the 16th century. The surviving two-storey tower served as a granary from the 17th century onward. The manor is privately owned and not open to visitors; a walk takes you around Kouskova Lhota and through the forest to Farářova studánka.

For two other chapels, the recorded dates refer to different events: the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Neznašovy was built in 1876, while the Chapel of St Anne in Vrhaveč was consecrated in 1937. Together with the ruins of the chapel of St John of Nepomuk, they offer different historical points of interest for a walking tour, linking local history with the hiking trails.

Public leisure facility

The multi-purpose sports and leisure facility in Vrhaveč is open to the public every day: from 12 noon to 7 p.m. from May to September, and from 12 noon to 5 p.m. from October to April. In both periods, it opens at 12 noon; in summer, it closes two hours later. You can arrange reservations with the facility manager. As access rules may change, check the current opening hours and reservation options before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Bernartice, Žihobce, Rabí, Hradešice, Hamry Na Šumavě, Tužice, Klatovy, Svata Katerina.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Klatovy.