*Along the Josefovská valley from Adamov to Křtiny: 11 km (one way) to 21 km (round trip)*

• This is one of the best trips in the Moravský kras protected landscape area, with a superb mix of natural, prehistoric and more recent historic sites. It is centred on the Josefovská valley, one of the most important sites for the world-famous Moravian limestone caves, which provided periodic shelter to hunter gatherers in the old Stone Age. Apart from the natural caves that line the valley, there are extensive historic iron ore mines. At Stará huť, the valley hosts one of the best preserved and most impressive 18th century blast furnaces in the country.
• Some caves became very special places for our prehistoric ancestors. One such is Býčí skála, located in the middle of the valley. This cave system – the second longest in the Czech Republic – is only accessible very occasionally. The remarkable main hall of the cave system, just inside the entrance way, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country (in addition to being a secret Nazi construction site for aircraft engines in WWII). Finds from all archaeological periods have been unearthed in the cave, including a famous bronze bull discovered in the 19th century, dating from the Iron Age.
• New research has demonstrated that the cave was actually a burial ground for the earliest Celtic elite in Moravia between 575 BC and 450 BC. Remarkably rich burials, sometimes in wooden chariot hearses, were made directly in the area of the caves that was periodically flooded by the Jedovnický stream. The Celtic belief system almost certainly included ritual purification by water. These early Celtic cave burials are unique in Europe.
• There are several other – more accessible – caves along the valley, including the Kostelík and Jáchymka systems (the latter was temporarily closed due to a nesting falcon, but the restrictions on access seem to have been removed when last visited – August 2026). Just outside the valley (but included as an optional detour on the return route) is Výpustek cave, one of the most remarkable sites in the area. This cave was used as a shelter by Stone Age hunters but also has a more recent military history. It was converted into an underground factory by the Nazis and then repurposed into a nuclear bunker during the Communist era. It is open year-round for guided tours.
• The end point for the one way route (or middle point if taking the longer circular option) is the town of Křtiny, famous as a Marian pilgrimage site since the Medieval period. The remarkable Baroque basilica was designed by the legendary Czech-Italian architect Jan Blažej Santini and is considered one of his finest works. The impressive adjoining chateau was originally a Premonstratensian monastery, but is now owned by Brno´s Mendel University and provides student and public accommodation. There is a restaurant on site.
• There are so many points of interest along the Josefovská valley which are worth stopping to explore, that the 11 km one-way route is probably the best option for most walkers. The full circular trip would make for a very long day if all the sites are are explored. The route is partly on forest footpaths, sometimes on the valley slopes. These are quite narrow and eroded in places, so care and good footwear are needed for this trip.
• The normal way to walk the valley is to start in Adamov (which has good train connections with Brno) and finish in Křtiny, where there are more refreshment and accommodation options (but no direct public transport connections to Brno). In this direction, the route involves around 300m of ascent and 150m of descent. However, the route can also be done in reverse – which obviously reverses the ascent-descent numbers! Two kilometers from Křtiny look out for the innovative self-service snack bar (map point 7). The offer also includes superb home made jams and marmalades.

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

• Starting at Adamov zastávka train station, join the BLUE trail which can be followed all the way to Křtiny
• At the Býčí skála cave junction (reached after 5 km), take the alternative GREEN path which runs on the slopes above the road and passes through the wnderful Kostelík cave system
• For the return journey to Adamov. take the RED trail as far as Babice nad Svitavou, there joining the YELLOW trail heading towards Adamov, switching back to the RED trail at the Slučí studánka – odb junction