Fryšava Pod Žákovou Horou – Forest, Trails and Culture

Fryšava Pod Žákovou Horou lies on the edge of the extensive Žďárské vrchy forest complex. In the village and its surroundings, you’ll find natural attractions, themed trails and individual places of cultural and historical interest. When planning your trip, it’s worth distinguishing excursions by their connection to Fryšava and by the season.

Forest Landscape and Nature

The Žákova hora National Nature Reserve (810 m) lies nearby. It preserves an original fir-beech forest, interspersed with spruce and sycamore maple. The reserve thus brings together a specific natural site and a characteristic forest stand. The planning area of Fryšava pod Žákovou horou also lies within the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area (CHKO).

Another natural site in the area is Stříbrná studánka, one of the springs of the Svratka River. Together with the nearby reserve, it gives the landscape two distinct points of interest: the preserved forest and the source of a river. Both names can help you plan nature-themed excursions without conflating the two destinations.

Trails and Excursions

The “Okolo rybníků Medlov a Sykovec k Brožově skalce a Pasecké skále” route passes through Fryšava, going by the Church of St. Matthew (sv. Matouše). The church is a prominent feature of the village landscape and is also a named waypoint on this route. The route’s name also mentions the Medlov and Sykovec ponds, as well as Brožova skála and Pasecká skála, as points of interest.

The excursions differ in how they include Fryšava: “Na Fryšavský kopec” starts in the village and leads into the forests of the Žďárské vrchy. The route goes to a monument to the Mistr Jan Hus partisan brigade. The “Žďárská trasa za skláři” route, in turn, leads to Fryšava pod Žákovou horou.

The “Stezka Okolo Medlova za stříbrnými zvony” trail features characters, stories and legends from the forests of the Žďárské vrchy area. It is designed as an engaging afternoon outing for families with children. If you’re planning this excursion, check the seasonal arrangements in advance.

History and Architecture

The village’s history also offers a specific insight into changes in local industry: after iron ore was discovered, the glassworks in Fryšava was converted into a hammer mill for crushing ore. The water of the Fryšávka powered the mill. The conversion from glassmaking to ore processing, and the use of the river as a source of power, are the key details of this story.

The Church of St. Matthew (sv. Matouše) is not only a prominent landmark in the village, but also lies along the aforementioned route through Fryšava. Another architectural point of interest is Hotel Medlov: its original building was designed by Alois Wachsmann in the style of emotional functionalism. The hotel restaurant serves dishes based on time-tested recipes from Czech mothers and grandmothers. If you’d like to eat there, check before your trip whether the restaurant is open.

Seasonal Activities

In winter, groomed cross-country ski trails are available in Fryšava, although snow and trail grooming vary by season. Swimming, on the other hand, is a summer activity and is possible around Medlovský rybník. If either activity is essential to your trip, take its seasonal availability into account when planning. Trail conditions and markings may change, so check the conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Bohuňov, Rožná, Lisna, Stránecká Zhoř, Brezi Nad Oslavou, Ujčov, Skrdlovice, Chlumek.

For the overview of the wider area: Žďár nad Sázavou District.