Chouzava: Trails into the Brdy Forests and Historical Traces

Chouzavá is a small settlement with a bell tower, a hiking trail leading to it, and a cycling route that continues into the deep Brdy Forests. It also has medieval origins and a tall cross bearing the year 1733.

Chouzavá at a glance

• The Cestami Káji Maříka route leads from Mníšek pod Brdy to Chouzavá along a blue-marked hiking trail.
• The Zelený okruh cycling route is of moderate difficulty and passes through Chouzavá into the deep Brdy Forests.
• Chouzavá has a small bell tower.
• The Andělské schody natural monument lies in the wider region and covers 172.4194 hectares.
• A tall cross on a sandstone pedestal bears the year 1733.

Getting around on foot or by bike

For a hike, Chouzavá is the destination of the Cestami Káji Maříka route. It leads from Mníšek pod Brdy to the settlement along a blue-marked hiking trail. Check trail conditions before setting out. The Zelený okruh cycling route offers a different option: it is rated as moderately difficult, passes through Chouzavá, and then continues into the deep Brdy Forests.

The two routes answer different planning questions. For the hiking route, the starting point is Mníšek pod Brdy, the trail is marked blue, and Chouzavá is the destination. For the cycling route, the focus is on its moderate difficulty rating and its onward course into the forests. If you want to reach Chouzavá on foot, the first route points the way; for a cycling trip farther into the Brdy Forests, the Zelený okruh describes the suitable route.

Nature in the wider area

The Andělské schody natural monument is located in the wider region around Chouzavá and covers 172.4194 hectares. Protected features include wet meadows, seasonally wet and drought-loving meadow communities, preserved deciduous forest communities, and the scarce large blue butterfly (Maculinea teleius). The protected area therefore ranges from different meadow communities to deciduous forest and a specifically named butterfly species. For nature enthusiasts, this combination of different habitats is a particularly notable aspect of the natural monument.

History and landmarks in the village

Chouzavá has medieval origins. The historic village of Chouzavá disappeared during the Thirty Years’ War. The historic Zlatá stezka route also ran in the wider vicinity of Chouzavá in the past. These details point to different historical periods without combining them into a single account of the village’s history.

Local landmarks include a small bell tower and a tall cross depicting Christ on a sandstone pedestal. The cross bears the year 1733 and stands at a place where a wedding took a tragic turn. In Chouzavá, a simple structure, a precisely dated cross, and a local tradition thus come together. The year and the event described give the cross a specific historical connection, without justifying any more detailed account of an accident.

Find accommodation to suit your travel plans

If you are more interested in local history, the bell tower, the cross, and the historical connections offer a different focus for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Mašov, Nepomuk pod Třemšínem, Krepenice, Vrančice, Nový Knín, Rozmital Pod Tremsinem, Nalžovice, Háje.

FAQ / Frequently asked questions about Chouzavá

How does the hiking route differ from the cycling route?

The Cestami Káji Maříka hiking route leads from Mníšek pod Brdy to Chouzavá along a blue-marked hiking trail. The moderately difficult Zelený okruh passes through the settlement and continues into the deep Brdy Forests. The routes therefore differ both in how you travel and in their described courses.

See the main travel overview: Okres Příbram.