*Dívčí kámen castle and Třísov Celtic oppidum – a 5 km tour*

• This short trip on edge of Blanský les, near Český Krumlov, captures the best features of walking in Bohemia in one compact walk: romantic medieval ruins, craggy rocks, an ancient hillfort and an atmospheric restaurant, all in a lovely forest and riverside setting. This is one of the best walks in the guide and it is less than 5km long!
• Dívčí kámen (‘Girl’s stone’) is one of the largest and most important medieval castle ruins in South Bohemia. It was founded in the middle of the 14th century by the local noble Rosenberg family. By the mid 16th century the castle had been abandoned, the family having moved their seat the more comfortable Český Krumlov. The ruins are situated in a picturesque location almost completely surrounded by the horseshoe shaped meander of the Křemský stream and the fast-flowing Vtava river on the north side.
• The name of the castle likely predates its medieval foundation and the site appears to have been one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the area, occupied since the late Stone Age. The site has significant Bronze Age findings and was likely first fortified in the middle of the Bronze Age, perhaps 3500 years ago.
• Later Celtic settlers also made use of the site and founded on the opposite side of Křemský stream a large fortified village. The Třísov oppidum is one of the most important Celtic sites in the country, strategically situated on the Vltava trade route, connecting the Danube region with the rest of Bohemia. Findings suggest the site, occupied in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, had a mint and was involved in long distance trade with Italy and the rest of Bohemia.
• The suggested route starts at the village of Třísov, which has a train station on the regional line from Český Krumlov. There is also a small (free) car parking area next to the station. The route crosses the site of the oppidum to reach the best viewpoint overlooking the Dívčí kámen ruins and then drops down towards the Vltava riverbank. After taking a short detour for a view of the river and an abandoned old house with markings of the floods back to the 19th century, the route circles around the castle ruins, which may be visited by paying an entrance fee.
• The suggested return route follows the stream for a short distance to reach the Restaurant and Pension Hamr Dívčí kámen, which was formerly an old forge, constructed around 1700. This serves excellent food and has a pleasant terrace. From the Hamr, there is a short cut footpath leading directly back to the oppidum site and then the train station. The total route is 4.7 km with 120m of height to ascend-descend.
• The route as far as the Hamr restaurant (3.4 km from the train station) is suitable for strollers (but will require a return along the same route, as the short cut path from the Hamr up to the oppidum would be a challenge with a stroller).

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

• Start at the Třísov train station, initially on the RED trail heading towards Dívčí kámen. After 50m the RED trail turns left, but stay on the wider path which continues straight on – this is part of the educational trail leading to the castle ruins
• After 600m there is a tourist shelter and viewpoint over the ruins. From there continue on the track downhill to cross the Křemský stream after 800m
• After crossing the stream, turn right onto the RED trail and continue for 200m to reach a viewpoint over the Vltava river, next to the abandoned building with markings showing the high points of important floods over the past 150 years (behind the building are the unusual rock formations with rare lichen growing on it)
• Return back to the bridge crossing the Křemský stream and continue on the RED trail underneath the ramparts to reach the castle entrance
• After visiting the castle continue on the RED trail, crossing the stream to reach the Dívčí kámen – zříc. hradu trail junction. Here, turn onto the YELLOW trail and continue for 650m to reach the Hamr restaurant
• From the Hamr, take the unmarked footpath that runs directly past the restaurant terrace and rises through the forest
• After 350m turn uphill towards the residential house (map point 8) to reach the RED trail. Turn right onto this trail and after 300m reach the entrance to the oppidum, with its information boards
• Take the short detour up into the oppidum area to visit the site of the northern acropolis and then return back to the main RED trail and continue for 250m back to the train station