Discover Rabí: Castle, Trails and Landscape

Rabí combines impressive cultural heritage with trails through the hilly Otava Valley. The focal point is Rabí Castle, but churches, traditional crafts, protected nature and historic ruins also give your stay different directions. This allows you to combine cultural experiences with easy hikes or cycling tours.

Castle, Church and Traditional Crafts in Rabí

Rabí Castle developed from a watchtower built in the mid-14th century into a large castle complex. Until the end of the 17th century, it served as a residence for the Lords of Rýzmberk. The castle currently offers guided tours and various cultural events.

From the imposing residential tower, the donjon of Rabí Castle, there is a view across the entire Prácheň region. The castle and church showcase architectural history from several historical periods, while the Rabí Museum of Crafts places regional crafts at the center of attention.

The Castle Church of the Holy Trinity has also largely retained its Late Gothic appearance, although later centuries influenced it through structural alterations. The church is currently not open to the public; during the summer months, however, its lower level is opened as an exhibition space. The Rabí Museum of Crafts complements its historical focus with the private collection of collector Petr Balcar. It provides insight into the traditional crafts that shaped Šumava and the Šumava foothills at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Hiking Trails, the Otava Valley and Protected Nature

From Rabí, a walk leads up Mount Líšná to the remains of the All Saints Chapel. A yellow-marked hiking trail leads from Rabí to Budětice and onward to the remains of the Džbán ruins. Another route runs via Žichovice and along the green section of the Vintířova stezka to the historic Prácheň castle ruins near Horažďovice; this route is listed as 8 km long. In the direction of Žichovice, a hiking route then continues along the green section of the Vintířova stezka.

The hilly Otava Valley, with its landscape views and meadows, offers many opportunities for easy hikes and cycling tours. The Otava Cycling Trail runs via Žichovice, Čepice, Chmelná and Sušice. Rabí’s tourist circular routes also include a walk up Čepičná, which is designated as a protected natural site. Čepičná is a protected natural area on calcareous ground, particularly around outcrops of crystalline limestone. Several protected, rare calciphilous and thermophilous plant species grow there. The calcareous outcrops add a distinctive accent alongside the meadows and landscape views of the Otava Valley.

Rabí as a Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

When looking for accommodation in Rabí, you can first decide on the focus of your stay: castle tours, the church and traditional crafts lead to cultural discoveries, while the trails to Líšná, Budětice, Žichovice and Čepičná open up different landscape experiences.

Other destinations to help orient you include Ostřetice, Chlistov, Strašín, Horní Staňkov, Žichovice, Zelená Lhota, Lesisov and Kašperské Hory.

For the higher-level travel overview: Klatovy District.