Chlum U Třeboně: History, Hejtman and Nature Trails

History and Special Places

Chlum u Třeboně combines a multifaceted history with a landscape of ponds, forest paths and protected habitats. The castle is at its heart: until 1700, it was a fortress, after which it was converted into a single-storey château with a chapel. Today, the castle and its park are in very poor condition and require extensive reconstruction. Nevertheless, the history of the town remains immediately evident.

Another prominent cultural site is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It was built between 1737 and 1745 in the High Baroque style. Glassmaking is also part of the local past: in the area around Chlum u Třeboně, it dates back to the mid-16th century; the glassworks at its present location was founded in 1891.

Hejtman: Water, Island and Walking Trails

The Hejtman pond was created approximately between 1560 and 1570 and today offers various opportunities for spending time by the water. There are grassy and sandy beaches, gently sloping access to the water, a water slide, diving boards, pedal boat rental and jetties. There is also a fireplace on the island. Live fish are sold year-round at the fish-holding facilities of Středisko Chlum u Třeboně.

You can reach the attraction “Ostrůvek u rybníku Hejtman s lávkou” via an approximately 90 m long wooden footbridge. For a longer route, the Naučná stezka Mikuláše Rutharda begins at the pond dam and is approximately 9 km long. The longer Naučná stezka contrasts with the short destination on the island and is suitable for a more extensive tour; the bridge forms a clearly defined connection. On hikes and bike rides, forest paths and paved paths influence the choice of surface for the tour. These differences help with planning the day and choosing the desired route length.

Hiking Between History and Nature

The forests around Chlum u Třeboně are suitable for hiking and cycling on forest paths and paved paths. A particularly local route is the Historická stezka Chlumem. It runs from the Hejtman – jih campsite along the castle grounds and the dam of the Hejtman pond, continues past the Stations of the Cross at the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the school, and ends at the Dešťová zahrada community garden.

The natural side of the town includes the Rašeliniště Pele Nature Reserve, which covers areas in the cadastral territory of Chlum u Třeboně. It protects a peat bog habitat in an early stage of development with numerous plant and animal species associated with it, including some highly or critically endangered species. The larger Třeboňsko landscape area has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1977 under the “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB) Programme.

For more ideas in the area, you can also visit Strmilov, Plavsko, Staňkov U Třeboně, Ratiboř U Jindřichova Hradce, Nová Hlína, Kostelní Vydří, Dolní Žďár and Horní Radouň.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Jindřichův Hradec.