Interesting discoveries in the Benešov uplands, east of Sedlčany: 5 km to 11 km

• The Benešovská pahorkatina (Benešov uplands) are a series of granite hills located to the southwest of Benešov, with the town of Sedlčany approximately at the mid-point in the range. It is attractive countryside, but there are only occasional marked hiking trails. However, it is still worth spending a little time exploring the area – there are some interesting surprises!
• One of which is the unique Červený Hrádek chateau (featured in the header photo). The colorful chateau was built on the site of a 13th century moated fortress but was remodeled in neo-Gothic style at the end of the 19th century, under the direction of the famous Czech architect, Jan Kotěra. The chateau is privately owned and only occasionally accessible, but it is possible to walk around the old English park area on trails either side of the Mastník river.
• Two kilometers to the east of Červený Hrádek, lies the small town of Kosovo Hora, which also has a long history. It dates back at least to the 13th century, when there were silver and gold mines in the area. The village was probably sold to the Lords of Landštejn by the Bohemian King Otakar II after the mines were exhausted. A Gothic fortress was built in the settlement, which was later rebuilt into its current Renaissance form. The chateau is today privately owned and inaccessible, but the fine sgraffito decoration can be seen from the street.
• It is a simple 5 km round trip to circle around the two chateaux, mostly on easy forest footpaths. It is, however, worth extending the trip with a walk by up to another 6 km, in the hilly forested area northeast of Sedlčany. This attractive mixed forest has a number of interesting granite rock outcrops. The initial climb into the forest is quite steep, but the paths are not difficult. If completing the full circuit shown in the map below there is 250m of height to ascend/descend.
• For refreshments, there is a village pub/restaurant in Kosovo Hora, the restaurace Elenka (map point 11). If travelling through the nearby town of Sedlčany (either by car or bus) consider a stop in main square to visit Café Bella for coffee, cakes and homemade ice-cream.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Starting in the main square at Kosovo Hora (reached by bus from Sedlčany and there are a few parking spots for drivers), join the RED trail heading northeast along the main street, passing the church on the right side
• After 200m, turn left onto the BLUE trail heading towards Pod Kolihovy
• After 1.2 km reach the Pod Kolihovy junction. Here if only wanting the short walk, continue on the BLUE trail to reach Červený Hrádek
• If wanting the extension in the hilly forest area, turn right at Pod Kolihovy onto the GREEN trail
• After 1.2 km there is a diversion marker to a rocky outcrop on the left side – the Soudný kámen (Judgement stone), which is associated with various pagan myths
• From the Soudný kámen junction join the YELLOW trail which takes a 2 km loop in the forest before returning back to the GREEN trail
• After returning back to the GREEN trail retrace the path downhill to the Pod Kolihovy junction
• From Pod Kolihovy, continue on the BLUE trail towards Červený Hrádek
• After 1 km reach the chateau at Červený Hrádek. If wanting to take the loop in the old chateau park turn right on reaching the charteau onto the unmarked footpath which leads down to the river
• Follow one of the unmarked footpaths on either side of the river to loop back to the BLUE trail on the far side of the chateau after around 700m
• On rejoining the BLUE trail return back to the chateau after 700m. At the chateau turn right off the BLUE trail to take the unmarked footpath that runs beside the pond
• This footpath leads through an interesting wetland area before reaching the edge of Kosovo Hora village after 1.1 km
• Take the pavement along the main road to reach the center of the village in 500m