Bělov – Trails, the Morava River and Village History

Trails through Landscape and History

Bělov combines an extensive network of trails with distinctive traces of local history. The Stezky Branou do Chřibů are local routes for hiking, Nordic walking and running; you can also ride them by mountain bike. This makes the area a destination for experiencing the landscape in different ways: you can enjoy a leisurely hike, run at your own pace or explore the trails by bicycle.

The Stezky Branou do Chřibů run mostly along low-traffic roads, farm tracks and forest paths. Their character is therefore shaped less by a single attraction than by the changing trail types and the connections between several places. The network comprises 22 km of marked circular trails and connects Otrokovice with Bělov, Nová Dědina and Žlutava. For planning purposes, the main consideration is therefore the type of day you want: the circular trails provide a clearly signposted framework, while the variety of surfaces makes the outing more interesting.

The Morava River and a Route along the Baťův kanál

Another landmark is the weir on the Morava River. It lies within the cadastral area of the municipality of Bělov and raises the river’s water level by 2.8 metres. There is potential for a small hydropower plant at the weir. The weir is therefore one of the local features where the landscape and human use meet directly.

For cycling trips, Loděnice Morava is located on the Kroměříž–Uherské Hradiště cycle route. This route runs from Spytihněv along the Baťův kanál. The local circular trails differ from it in that they run along low-traffic roads, farm tracks and forest paths.

Bell Tower and Stone Crosses

One of the municipality’s distinctive landmarks is the Bělovská zvonice, an indispensable symbol of Bělov. The brick structure stands on a hill and was probably built in 1775 by the Kvasice estate. The word “probably” is part of the traditional dating. Those interested in smaller historic structures will therefore find here not only a visible landmark, but also a specific connection to the history of the former estate.

A stone cross stands at the junction of the Bělov–Kvasice and Bělov–Otrokovice roads, near a cycling accommodation facility. The cross bears the inscription “Bělovu odkaz (dar) pudmistra Františka Daňka”. It identifies the cross as a bequest, or gift, from František Daněk to Bělov. The word “dar” means “gift”. The cross was erected at his instigation in 1847–49 (?), but the final digit of the year is faded and illegible. This preserved yet not fully legible date makes the site a small detail for visitors who also pay attention to local traditions and inscriptions during a tour.

More Local Pages

More local pages lead to Pohořelice, Březůvky, Spytihněv, Trnava U Zlína, Veselá, Komárov, Návojná and Slopné.

For the higher-level travel overview: Zlín District.