Circuits near Slapy reservoir visiting the Drtinova viewing tower on Besedná hill: 8 km to 17 km

• The Slapy reservoir – the sixth largest in the country – was created in 1955 by damming the river Vlava around 30 km from Prague. The reservoir is over 40 km long and is a popular vacation spot with sandy beaches and many water sports activities available along its scenic shores. Walkers in the area also have multiple route options; to see a selection of walks near the reservoir use the Region filter Slapy to view the currently published walks.
• A number of the walks visit viewing towers constructed in the surprisingly hilly countryside that surrounds Slapy. One of the nicest towers is on Besedná hill, which overlooks the reservoir approximately at its mid-point. The tower, built in the style of a Hussite watchtower, was named after local resident František Drtina, a well-known early 20th century politician and philosopher who was connected with the Czechoslovak First Republic. The original tower was built in 1926, a year after Drtina’s death.
• That tower was pulled down in 1967 during the Communist era, but a modern version was rebuilt and opened in 2015. There are outstanding views from its 22m high platform. There is a small parking area just below Besedná hill – it is just 500m to the tower from there. However, this is attractive countryside, so it is worth making a circuit to include both the tower and the Šemíkův skok viewpoint overlooking the reservoir.
• There are many marked trails in the area, so circular routes of varying lengths from 8 km to 17 km can be created. The trails are all easy, without significantly steep sections on good paths either in the forest or along quiet country lanes. The full 17 km route shown in the map below involves just over 500m of height to ascend – descend, but the shorter routes have between 200m and 300m of height difference. Directions for routes of different lengths are given below.
• There are no refreshment options along the way (although it might be possible to get refreshments during the summer months at the riding stables of Statek Malčany after 4 km), so bring sufficient supplies for the trip!

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

• The route shown in the map above starts from the parking spot just below Besdná hill, but on the circuit there is a bus connection at the Nad Křeničnou junction (for a bus line starting in the nearby town of Nový Knín)
• Assuming starting at the parking area, begin the walk by following the GREEN hiking trail up the hill to reach the viewing tower after 500m
• Continue of the GREEN trail for 3.4 km to reach the Statek Malčany riding stables and then turn sharply right to follow the GREEN trail as it traverses a terrace above the reservoir
• After 800m reach the the Šemíkův skok viewpoint and then continue on the GREEN trail for a further 900m until joining up with the RED trail at the Nad Křeničnou junction
• At this point, the circuits of different lengths take different routes. If preferring an 8 km – 9 km route, continue on the GREEN trail until reaching the Záhoří junction and then turn right to head up the road to reach the parking spot
• If continuing on the full route, switch to the RED trail at the Nad Křeničnou junction heading in the direction of Živohošť. most
• Continue on the RED trail for 2 km to reach the Nad Živohoští junction and here turn right onto the YELLOW trail heading in the direction of Záhoří
• After 2.8 km reach the Hněvšín junction (Hněvšín was the birthplace of František Drtina)
• At the junction, if preferring an 11 km turn right and head up the country road to reach the car parking area in 1.3 km
• Otherwise, continue on the YELLOW trail for a further 3.6 km to reach the Nad Sejckou hájovnou junction
• At the junction turn right onto the GREEN trail which leads back to the parking below Besedná after 3.5 km