Hvozdec – Hiking Trails, Veveří Castle and History

Hvozdec: Trails, Water and Castle History

Hvozdec combines green- and yellow-marked hiking trails with a history that reaches back to the Middle Ages. This makes it a destination where nature experiences, cultural monuments and different excursion options come together.

The green-marked hiking route from Hvozdec leads west through the Javůrecké forest and the village of Javůrek to Hotel Devět křížů. It also runs east through the Obora settlement to the Masaryk Circuit. A yellow-marked hiking route passes the Ríšova studánka spring towards the Brno Reservoir. This allows you to choose between different destinations when planning a day hike: the trails through the Javůrecké forest and Javůrek, the section via Obora to the Masaryk Circuit, or the yellow route passing Ríšova studánka.

The history of the place is also specifically documented: the first written mention of Hvozdec dates from 1317. At that time, Kateřina, the widow of Tas of Lomnice, donated, among other things, the village of Hvozdec with its farm and settlers to the Convent of the Virgins of St. Anne in Brno. Veveří Castle lies northeast of Hvozdec, on the right bank of the Brno Reservoir. It is one of the largest castle complexes in the Czech Republic; its first mention dates from 1213.

In Veverská Bítýška, 4 km away, Jarošův Mill is an important cultural monument. The mill currently serves as a museum of milling and as a gallery. The historical destinations offer different highlights: Hvozdec represents early local history, Veveří a large-scale castle complex, and Jarošův Mill the craft of milling. The surrounding area thus combines medieval territorial history with a museum and a gallery in Veverská Bítýška.

Another connection to the history of the castle is provided by the Tour de Veveří. It is intended for walkers, cyclists, runners and also travelers with strollers. Its routes pass through Říčany, Javůrek, Veverské Knínice, Hvozdec, Veverská Bítýška, Chudčice and Rozdrojovice, which are among the seven municipalities of the former domain of Veveří Castle.

For exercise on short, varied tracks, Hvozdec Pumptrack can be used with mountain bikes and BMX bikes, longboards, skateboards, inline skates, scooters and children's balance bikes. The walk-in Trůn photo point offers views over the former domain of Veveří Castle and beyond, as well as an opportunity to take photographs. It is located near the meeting point of the cadastral areas of Hvozdec, Veverské Knínice and Javůrek, beside an old, spreading oak tree. The Tour de Veveří therefore offers a different form of exercise from the pumptrack: its routes connect several municipalities, while the pumptrack focuses on short, varied tracks in Hvozdec. Depending on your preferred pace for the day, the options range from a route crossing several municipalities to a compact activity using different types of sports equipment.

The Brno Zoo, Zlobica Mountain, Babí Lom Mountain and Paní hora Mountain are located in the vicinity of Hvozdec. The Helenčina studánka spring is also located in the immediate surroundings of Hvozdec. Further afield in the region are the ruins of Tempelštejn and Rabštejn. Lužánky Park is also located in the vicinity of Hvozdec.

More destinations for your research

Other places on the portal include Sobotovice, Úsuší, Nelepeč-Žernůvka, Prace, Omice, Otmarov, Vohančice and Svatoslav.

For the higher-level travel overview: Brno-Country District.