Walks to the amazing granite rocks of Klepec and Tismice church – 2 km to 11 km

• The countryside around the historic Central Bohemian town of Český Brod is full of surprising landmarks. This was an area populated by the first Slavic settlers who arrived in Bohemia from the 6th century AD onwards. Their old settlements are scattered over the surrounding hilltops. One of the earliest sites is close to the village of Tismice, just to the south west of Český Brod. This was a major settlement at the time of Charlemagne (whose Empire once incorporated the Bohemian lands) and may have covered over 25ha.
• Today is nothing left of the original Slavic settlement, but just below the hill is sited the Church of the Assumption, one of Bohemia’s finest Romanesque churches, built in the 12th century. Its grandeur seems out of place in such a quiet village, but its size could reflect the status of the old Slavic settlement on the neighboring hill, and may perhaps have been created to replace a revered pagan ritual site.
• Just 4km from Tismice is the hill of Klepec, on which several remarkable and picturesque granite boulders dominate the hilltop. It is assumed this was also an important ritual site for local tribes from the late Stone Age onwards. Several of the rocks have folk names, and two have historical commemorative plaques embedded on their walls. The rocks make a super spot for a picnic and are just a kilometer from the parking area.
• The easiest way to visit the rocks is to use the small parking area Ke Klepci in the village of Přišimasy. There are also buses to Přišimasy from the train station at Úvaly. From the rocks it is possible to take a circular route through Tismice, passing over the site of the old Slavic settlement and including a short (children’s) educational trail connected with fruit growing in the area. The route involves a couple of sections on public roads.
• The total route, including the circle through Tismice is 11.3 km long and involves 200m of height gained/lost. The paths are all easy, although quite narrow paths in the fields, which could be a challenge for a stroller. For refreshments, there is a village pub in Tismice, and opposite the pub is small café serving home made cakes.

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 in the village of Přišimasy . From the car park Ke Klepci take the YELLOW hiking trail away from the village towards the rocks
• The first set of rock formations are reached after 500m. A further 400m along the trail are further rocks (including the Stoh slámy – pictured in the header image)
• Just slightly further on is a clearing with two small pools and other granite rock formations
• If continuing for the Tismice loop, stay on the YELLOW trail after passing the rock areas, descending the hill to reach the village of Limuzy after 900m
• Leave the YELLOW trail and continue along the public road towards Tismice for 350, until there is a sign for the Ovocná educational trail (green diagonal trail markings) on the right side. Take the footpath, attractively lined with trees and follow the educational trail which runs for 700m
• Continue on the footpath lined with tall hedgesto reach the edge of the village of Mrzky after 900m
• In Mrzky join the GREEN hiking trail (turn left onto the trail). Follow the GREEN trail through the village, crossing the main road and continuing on a side road
• The GREEN trail leads to Tismice after 2.2 km and crossing through the site of the old Slavic settlement – there are no visible remains
• In Tismice leave the GREEN trail (opposite the church) and turn left onto the public road which leads after 400m into the center of the village (on the left side are the pub and café)
• Follow the public road for 2.3 km to return back to Limuzy village (bus stop). Here pick up the YELLOW trail again and return back to Přišimasy past the rocks again