Circuits around the Hracholusky reservoir starting in the silver-mining town of Stříbro: 6 km to 20 km

• Stříbro has been an important mining settlement since at least the 12th century, when the town was founded by the Přemyslid duke Soběslav I. Substantial silver and lead ore was mined from the cliffs along the river Mže until the 20th century, when mines were finally shut down. Today, the mining legacy is preserved through an interesting open-air mining museum and an educational trail running beside the river.
• This section of the Mže river was heavily fortified before WWII and there are a number of interesting (repainted) bunkers all along the right bank of river, close to the old mine works. Most of the bunkers were constructed in 1937.
• Combine a visit to the attractive Renaissance and Baroque center of Stříbro with an attractive long walk around the Hracholusky reservoir (created by damming the Mže, 22 km northeast of Stříbro). It is possible to cross the reservoir at a couple of spots, creating a varied circular route of different lengths. Note that the short walk exploring the area directly around Stříbro is outlined on a separate page.
• The first crossing point is just 2 km downstream from Stříbro, but for a longer walk use the reconstructed Pňovany railway bridge, 9 km downstream. This famous bridge, originally constructed in 1892 now has a nicely airy pedestrian walkway – just don’t look down!
• The full loop, using Pňovany railway bridge and starting/finishing near the old stone Renaissance bridge below Stříbro center, is around 20 km long, with some 400m of height to ascend-descend (the trail around the reservoir is quite undulating). There are a couple of rocky sections and one slightly steep descent, but the trail is otherwise not difficult. There are a variety of good viewpoints at different spots around the route.
• For refreshments, there is a pub in Vranov 4 km along the right bank path, but on the return to Stříbro, try the restaurant ‘Excellent’ on the main square, with its nice terrace area.

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Directions

• If arriving at Stříbro by car, there are various parking options close to the center or by the Renaissance bridge below the town. If travelling by train, take the BLUE trail in the direction of U Branky, the site of the Renaissance bridge gate, which is reached after 700m
• At the U Branky trail signpost, join the educational trail (green-white diagonal stripes) and head in the direction of Červená lávka, along the right bank of the river
• After 700m, turn left onto the YELLOW hiking trail, near a repainted WWII machine gun bunker (one of several on the route) and after 200m reach the open-air mining museum
• At the museum (the Červená lávka trail junction) join the RED trail in the direction of Vranov
• After 1.7 km reach a footbridge across the river – this is the only option for crossing before reaching Pňovany railway bridge a further 6.8 km along the trail
• Unless taking the shortcut across the footbridge, continue on the RED trail through the village of Vranov, reached after 1.8 km
• Continue on the RED trail for 3.8 km until the trail bends sharply to the right to pass under a railway bridge. At this point, continue straight on, staying on the marked cycle track. This leads to Pňovany bridge in 1.3 km
• Cross the bridge and on the far side turn left onto the BLUE trail
• Continue on the BLUE trail above the left bank of the reservoir for 9.3 km, eventually reaching Stříbro main square
• Leave the square from the south west corner, following the BLUE trail to return back to the Renaissance stone bridge/railway station