*Circuits in the Sedlčanský landscape of legendary pond-builder, Jakub Krčín: 12 km to 23 km*

• Jakub Krčín is a name firmly associated with the remarkable complex of fishponds constructed during the 16th century in the Třebonsko region of south Bohemia. Krčín was, for twenty years, the regent for the estates of the the House of Rožmberk, the most powerful family in the Bohemia during the 16th century.
• What is less well known is that Krčín was rewarded for his services with estates in and around the central Bohemian town of Sedlčany, including the village of Křepenice, where he built a Renaissance fortress. The lovely small chateau is now in private hands and is slowly being reconstructed (see picture below).
• It seems likely that during his time in the Sedlčany region, Krčín created the large pond, Musík (occasionally using for swimming today) and the massive stone windmill above the nearby village of Příčovy. There is no equivalent anywhere in the country for this oversized construction (now partially ruined, but still impressive).
• The landscape around the villages of Příčovy and Křepenice is very attractive, with rolling hills topped with occasional granite rock formations and pastures filled with grazing animals, including lots of sheep. It is a surprisingly English-style landscape! Many of the villages in this area have Baroque chateau, that are in private hands, including the impressive (occasionally accessible) Radič chateau. Close to Křepenice, the trails run along the ridge above the meandering Vltava river, at this point dammed to create the Slapy reservoir. There are some excellent viewpoints overlooking the reservoir.
• Starting in the village of Příčovy, walks of different lengths can be created. It is a 6 km easy walk to the village of Křepenice, along good farm tracks that are manageable with a stroller. In Křepenice, there is an excellent bakery-café that is definitely worth stopping at. If walking with a stroller it is best to return back to Příčovy along the outbound route.
• For a longer walk head up to the ridge above the Vltava. here, there are various options, including taking the Drbákov – Albertovy skály nature trail. The circular trail is just over 6 km long and much of it is on narrow and steep paths, in places equipped with chains. This is one of the more challenging trails in Central Bohemia and requires confidence on slightly exposed slopes. It should only be attempted in dry conditions. The rewards for attempting the route are multiple excellent viewpoints over the reservoir. The trail has several information boards describing the nature (in Czech only). The route shown in the map below only traverses the top path of the nature trail (which is much easier than the lower trail), but does visit one of the famous viewpoints. A separate walk describing the full trail is posted here.
• There are various route options for returning to Příčovy from the Drbákov – Albertovy rocks. The fastest and easiest option is to follow the quiet country lanes through the village of Chlum and return back past the windmill. This gives a very nice circuit of around 18 km, with just over 300m of height to ascend-descend. There is only one relatively steep ascent in the forest near the Drbákov – Albertovy trail, but it is not difficult.
• For longer routes, the circuit heading back through the villages of Radič and Kňovice is recommended. This is the verion shown in the map below and is just over 23 km long, with approximately 500m of height to ascend-descend. For a really long walk, before reaching Radič, it is possible to take a diversion to the important Celtic hillfort-oppidum site of Hrazany. This extends the walk to over 27 km (the extension is not shown in the map -but is covered in a separate walk to Hrazany, which can be accessed here).
• For refreshments, there are a couple of village pubs along the way and at the finish point in Příčovy, but the best option is definitely the bakery-café in Křepenice.

Directions

• Příčovy is connected by bus with Příbram and Benešov. There are parking spots on the village square
• From the center of the village, join the GREEN trail heading in the direction of Musík. The windmill is reached after 1 km
• Continue on the GREEN trail for a further 2 km until reaching the Musík junction. There, join the YELLOW trail heading to Křepenice
• Křepenice village is reached in 3.2 km (the Krčín chateau is visible on the right side)
• In Křepenice, join the BLUE trail heading towards Radíč. After 2.5 km reach the Drbákov – Albertovy skály, where the nature trail begins (note this is a challenging extension, slightly exposed with some sections protected by chains)
• For those not tempted by the nature trail, continue on the BLUE trail for a further 1.4 km to reach the Bartůňkova vyhlídka trail junction (the viewpoint is a 140m diversion to the left – and worth taking)
• Continue on the BLUE trail for a further 500m to reach the U Křížku junction. Here, the paths diverge depending on whether wanting the 18 km or 23 km versions of the walk
• If wanting the 18 km version, take the YELLOW trail to reach Chlum and there join the GREEN trail to return back to the Musík junction visited on the outbound route
• If wanting the 23 km version, continue on the BLUE trail for 3.5 km to reach the Hrazany junction. At Hrazany (unless wanting to extend the walk further with a visit to the Celtic hillfort), take the YELLOW trail towards Radíč
• Pass through Radíč, staying on the YELLOW trail to reach the village of Kňovice. Here there is an opportunity for a short cut, taking the cycle trail at the junction (map point 11) rather than staying on the YELLOW trail. This saves 700m and is a nicer path