*Walks along the river Dyje from Znojmo via the Sealsfieldův kámen viewpoint – 16 km to 24 km*

• The scenic Podyjí National Park is the smallest in the country and currently the only one in Moravia. The meandering river Dyje creates a unique feature in the richly forested landscape of Podyjí forming deep valleys and high rock walls. The forests comprise lovely natural copses of oak, hornbeam, beech and alder trees. The very specific natural landscape is considered unique in Central Europe.
• There are many trails along this remarkably picturesque river. One of the best walks starts in the historical town of Znojmo and follows an undulating trail sometimes directly beside and sometimes high above the river (which has been converted into a reservoir near to Znojmo) passing the famous viewpoint of Sealsfieldův kámen.
• From the viewpoint, there is choice whether to continue for a further (very nice) section beside the river or head inland at this point to reach the wine villages of Popice and Konice (the longer tour also returns back to Znojmo via these villages, where there are various wineries to taste local Moravian wines).
• On the longer tour, there is also an option to visit the Havranické vřesoviště heathland, which was created when the area was deforested to create pastures for grazing. There are many attractive heathers and other heat loving plants in this small nature reserve.
• Starting in Znojmo provides an opportunity also to visit this important town, with a medieval core dating from the 12th century. It is worth spending some time touring the cobbled streets and visiting the castle area, which includes a unique Rotunda chapel dating from the 12th century.
• The full (recommended) route is around 24 km long if starting from the Znojmo bus or train stations (it is a bit shorter if starting from the town centre). This route has 520m of height to ascend/descend. If taking the option to cut inland after visiting the Sealsfieldův kámen viewpoint, the total route is 16 km long with 340m of ascent/descent. The trail along the river is quite rocky and has a few steeper sections to navigate, but none of the sections are dangerous.
• There are many good refreshment options in Znjomo at the beginning and end of the journey, but a good choice for a stop along the route the attractive Bistro Starý kopec in Konice village (map point 5 below).

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

• From Znojmo bus/train stations head directly into the center of Znojmo – following the Svatoklementská naučná stezka (green/white diagonal markers) until reaching the landmark church of St. Nicholas’ is probably the quickest route
• Take the time to visit the castle area and some of the surrounding streets (either now or at the end of the walk)
• From St. Nicholas’ church, join the RED trail and follow this as it snakes down a pathway towards the river below
• Cross the river using the bridge next to the transport/motoring museum (there are some notable exhibits on display by the path)
• After crossing the bridge, take the YELLOW trail in the direction of Sealsfieldův kámen. Follow the trail initially beside the reservoir and then climbing gradually to reach the viewpoint after 5.5 km
• Fom the viewpoint, if taking the shorter – 16 km – route, take the GREEN trail to Popice and from there take the RED trail back to Znojmo
• If taking the longer route – 24 km – continue on the YELLOW trail for a further 4.9 km until reaching the Judexův mlýn trail junction
• At the junction, turn left onto the RED trail in the direction of Popice
• Follow the RED trail for 2.6 km until reaching the edge of the village of Popice. At the white chapel (Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows) the nature trail through the heathland takes a diversion to the left . This is a nice trail and recommended
• The nature trail returns to the main RED trail in the middle of Popice. Continue on the RED trail, which follows the road for 1.3 km to reach Konice village
• From Konice it is 2.7 km along the RED trail to return back to the bridge across the river, below Znojmo

Walk recommendation provided by: Dita Rezková