Chroboly: Hiking Trails, Nature and Culture

Chroboly opens up several ways to experience a journey combining hiking, protected habitats and cultural history. Two marked hiking routes provide clear orientation in the surrounding area. They are complemented by the pilgrimage chapel of Panny Marie Lurdské, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, a war memorial and the history of Keplův mlýn (Köppel Mill). If you are travelling with different interests, you can tailor your stay to your preferred focus.

Hiking Trails between Chroboly and the Surrounding Area

The blue-marked hiking route 1228 leads from Chroboly via Libínské sedlo, Křišťanovický rybník and the ruins of Hus Castle to Volary. The green-marked hiking route 3409 leads from Chroboly along the Zlatý potok to Vitějovice. Route 1228 combines different natural and cultural attractions on the way to Volary, including Libínské sedlo, Křišťanovický rybník and the ruins of Hus Castle. Route 3409, by contrast, follows the Zlatý potok to Vitějovice. This allows you to compare a route with several changing points of interest with a course more closely focused on waterways and choose your preferred focus for the day’s hike.

Protected Habitats and Special Trees

The U Poustevníka protected area safeguards wet spruce and alder forests with species-rich flowering vegetation, as well as species-rich wet and marsh meadows containing endangered plant species. Tisy u Chrobol is also home to the largest known population of European yew in the foothills around Prachatice. This gives you a choice between two clearly distinct natural themes: protected wetland and marsh habitats, and a remarkable stand of yew trees.

Chapels, Church and Heritage Zone

The pilgrimage chapel of Panny Marie Lurdské in Chroboly was built at a healing spring and developed into a pilgrimage site. It is listed as an immovable cultural monument. Restoration work on the chapel began in 2003; by 2011, it had already been renovated. The traditional Malá lesní pouť pilgrimage also takes place at the chapel.

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Chroboly was originally Gothic and underwent extensive Baroque reconstruction from 1754 to 1758. The Příslop heritage zone protects urban-planning, architectural, historical, artistic, aesthetic and landscape values. Together with the pilgrimage chapel, it illustrates the destination’s cultural and historical breadth, from religious buildings to a protected historic ensemble.

Mill History and Remembrance

Keplův mlýn (Köppel Mill), below Chroboly, is one of the oldest mills in the region. It is first mentioned in 1554 in the land register of the Český Krumlov estate. The war memorial in Chroboly commemorates residents of Chroboly and the surrounding settlements who fell in the First World War. It was restored at its original location in the village centre and is regarded as a symbol of mutual understanding and Czech-German friendship.

If you are looking for accommodation in Chroboly, you can choose your preferred focus from the marked hiking routes, protected natural areas or cultural and historical sites. For broader research, you can also explore these destinations: Borova Lada, Außergefild, Zálezly, Radhostice, Netolice, Prachatice, Dub U Prachatic, Ceske Zleby.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Prachatice.