*A circuit around new nature trail created below Jordán peak (826m) in the Brdy hills: 16 km*

• Jordán is one of the ten Brdy peaks above 800m in altitude – it is a popular challenge to hike to all ten peaks. Jordán is definitely worth the effort even if not ‘collecting’ the ten peaks, as its terrain is somewhat unusual for Brdy, due to its former use as a military target area.
• In particular, there is a large and atmospheric heath-like expanse near the summit, offering super views of the whole Brdy region. On the lower slopes the replanting of trees (since the cancellation of the area as a military zone) has resulted in a more varied forest landscape than in other (spruce dominated) areas. The top section of the route shown on the map below is a newly created nature trail, with information boards (in Czech only) secured to boulders.
• For military historians, there are some interesting bunkers on the slopes, some dating from the pre-WWII Czechoslovak period, as well as German and then communist era installments. In addition, the route passes across the former WWII military airfield – see the interesting write up and review comments on the mapy.cz site (map point 8 below).
• The route begins in Zaječov village, situated on the north-western edge of the Brdy upland hills area, close to the town of Hořovice. Zaječov is interesting as the location of Bohemia’s first Augustinian monastery, founded in 1262. The Zaječov monastery was an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages and suffered repeated devastation during the country’s religious wars, most notably during the 15th century Hussite conflict. It was rebuilt in a Baroque style during the 17th century and remains today an impressive (but usually inaccessible) monument.
• The suggested route is 16 km long partly on wide forest tracks and partly on former military roads. The slopes are all easy and there is 370m of height to ascend/descend on the route. Note – that there are warning signs about straying from the marked paths, due to potential unexploded ordinance. The route can be extended by 5 km for those wanting visit the highest peak in Brdy – Tok (865m). Note that the summit of Tok is fully covered in spruce – there is no view!
• This is an excellent all season walk – Brdy is particularly attractive in wintertime when the top peaks are often snow covered – but the trails are navigable for most of the year. Unfortunately, there are no obvious refreshment spots on the route, apart from a grocery store close to the monastery in Zaječov.

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 the walk in the center of Zaječov – there are bus connections from Hořovice. For drivers, there is a free parking area on the main street
• From the trail signpost the end of the village main street, take the BLUE trail in the direction of Dolní Kvaň, which is reached after 1.1 km
• At Dolní Kvaň, turn onto the GREEN trail in the direction of Dlouhý Vrch
• Continue for 5.4 km on the GREEN trail to reach Dlouhý Vrch junction and there turn left onto the RED trail, heading in the direction of Tok
• After 2.4 km, reach the clearing where there is a sign to the viewpoint (and a nature trail information board), situated near a large military bunker. Take the 250m trail to the viewpoint-bunker and then return back to the marker
• At this point, the RED trail continues for 2.3 km to reach the summit of Tok. Unless wanting to visit Tok, leave the RED trail at nature trail board and continue slightly downhill on the wide and straight track
• After 800m reach the BLUE trail, turning left at this point
• Continue on the BLUE trail for 1.4 km until reaching the sign marking the beginning of the nature trail
• At this point join the YELLOW trail, continuing straight downhill
• After 900m cross the former military airfield and continue a further 350m to reach the U Bílého křížku trail junction
• At the junction, turn left onto the BLUE trail heading in the direction of Dolní Kvaň. Continue for 3.1 km on this trail to return back to Zaječov center