Along lakes and sandstone rocks
One of the most romantic hiking trips in the Czech Paradise is a circuit in Podtrosecke udoli (= Valley under Trosky“) around ponds Vezak, Vidlak, Krcak, Podseminsky and Nebakov, or others. From most of them tower sandstone rocks typical for this area. You will also walk around old mills and wells with good drinking water and early in the spring you can admire here carpets of snowflakes. There are also a lot of very nice views of the castle Trosky (“The Ruins”).
Snowflakes at the crossroads U Pribyla
One of the potential starts of this circular trip is the crossroads U Pribyla. But there is limited space for parking. This place is famous for flower lovers, because thousands of snowflakes blossom here on the surrounding waterlogged meadow in early spring.
The sandstone massif
It is advisable to walk this trip clockwise to avoid sun shining into your eyes. The first half kilometer long part to Vezicky pond leads along the road, but fortunately you will meet here cyclists rather than cars. On your left will be small but nice sandstone massif, which peeked out only recently after cutting down the hillside. To the right are wetlands of the creek flowing into Zehrovka.
Vezicky pond
After a while you will pass around the first of a series of springs and then you will get to the bigger parking at Vezicky pond (about 10 min walk from the junction U Pribyla), from where start the trip the most of the tourists. If you come here mainly for taking pictures, then the perfect time is late afternoon, when the rocks rising from the pond will not be in backlit. Please find more details about Vezak here.
Piece of art
In the garden of one of the cottages around Vezicky pond you can also see also this beautiful statue.
Rock caves
At the end of Vezicky pond turns the bicycle path to the direction of Trosky and only a few dozen meters away joins the main Golden route of the Bohemian Paradise dropping here from Hruboskalsko in wooden valley (i.e. the main route through the Czech Paradise avoids one of the most beautiful places in the beginning of Vezak). Between Vezak and Krcak is a little less interesting path along relatively picturesque meadows and below the sandstone rocks with small caves.
Wetlands in Krcak
After you manage a short ascent to the terrain wave surrounded by another recreational huts, you will need to descent a short way to the pond Krcak. You will not see much of it from this side, but the wetlands on its shore are quite interesting.
Pond Vidlak
After less than 3.5 km walk you will get to the next pond Vidlak. There is a restaurant and the first chance to have a lunch. At the same time there is a large parking, so another possible starting point of this round trip.
If you would like to see all the ponds in Podtrosecke valley, you have to continue along the yellow tourist trail to Borek lying on the main road No35 (around Hrudka and Rokytnicky pond; around 2.5 km).
Krcak
Further continuation depends on whether you have a bike, pram or you walk on foot.
From Vidlak you can either walk along the red tourist trail up through the forest through the settlement Tachov to Troskovice /it is also shorter and more useful, if you want to visit Trosky castle as well/ or along the small road around the pond Krcak. This way along the road is suitable for stroller or bicycle, is surprisingly more interesting, but in high season you have to pay attention to the crowds of cyclists.
Along Krcak
The surroundings of Krcak is picturesque – the small road is bordered with old robust oaks and sandstone rocks. In addition, there is also a nice meadow, where you can have a break.
Trosky in sight
After you ascent the hill, the first nice views of the local symbol – Trosky open.
At the crossroads at the beginning of Troskovice you have to decide whether to extend the circuit for the visit of castle Trosky or walk through Troskovice and slowly begin to come back.
Below Trosky
If you went from Vidlak along the red tourist trail, walk to the road at the crossroads Tachov and the most logical for you then will be the path along the castle.
If you went/rode down the road, then the way around the castle will take about 1.5 kilometer.
Anyway, the two paths meet a short way from the campground Svitacka and continue on around small settlements in the direction of Nebakov. Along the way there are other beautiful views of Trosky.
Above Nebakov
After you walk through the upland plain with settlements, you enter the woods and begin to descend back into the valley Zehrovka. Below you is another local pond – Nebakov. The last few meters of descent is for cyclists and strollers the most difficult on this circuit, but it is still passable.
At Nebakov
Just before the mill at the pond Nebakov is in the rocks small gate and a little window carved for a patron. There is a restaurant at the pond.
The path joins here the route leading through the valley Zehrovka, but there will be a separate photoreport about it. Now it is only 2 km long walk to the junction U Pribyla.
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