*A circle around the Lednice ponds nature reserve – 12 km*

• The Lednické rybníky (Lednice ponds) are one of the most important protected pond systems in the country with a wide variety of rare and endangered bird life and other fauna. The excellent educational trail around the main ponds is well maintained, with information boards at various points.
• Around the ponds there are also several impressive monuments dating from the 19th century, when the area was owned by the noble Lichtenstein family. Most impressive is the Hraniční zámeček, constructed in the early 19th century directly on the (then) border between the Margrave of Moravia and the Duchy of Lower Austria -hence the inscription on the central tower. The chateau now houses the highly regarded Essens gastronomic restaurant.
• The route also passes the well known temple of Apollo, built for the Lichtenstein family between 1817 and 1819, and the Rybniční zámeček (Pond chateau) constructed between 1814 and 1816. Both are fine examples of Classicist architecture which the Lednice-Valtice UNESCO world heritage area is famous for.
• The 12 km circuit around the three central ponds can be started at any point. There are free parking areas and bus stops on the eastern edge of Mlýnský rybník, which are convenient access points. The route is completely flat and the paths good, but narrow in places, which would make the walk with a stroller a challenge. This should be a a good route in winter as the views over the ponds could be enhanced with leafless trees.
• There are several possible refreshment options on the route but some will only be open in the summer season. Try the bistro next to the Apollo temple for good grilled food, or the Chateau de Frontiere complex located around the Hraniční zámeček, which has various offerings in season.

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 the parking area closest to Apollo’s temple (at the eastern end of Mlýnský rybník) follow the trail clockwise around the ponds, starting iniitially on the YELLOW trail
• Apollo’s temple is reached after 500m, and the YELLOW trail continues for 2.1 km until crossing the railway line. At this point, continue beside the pond on the nature trail (green/white diagonal stripes) as far as Hraniční zámeček, which is reached in 3.9 km
• From Hraniční zámeček continue on the north side of the pond complex, initially on the YELLOW trail passing below the Pond chateau to reach the road junction after 3.9 km
• At this point, leave the YELLOW trail and continue along the nature trail which follows the edge of the pond for a further 2.3 km to return back to the car park. The last 700m is on a narrow footpath beside the road.