*Along the Svratka valley from Nedvědice to Tišnov, with an optional visit to Pernštejn: 20 km to 25 km*

• This excellent one-way walk along the attractive Svratka river valley is within easy reach of Brno due to the main line train stations at the beginning and end of the route. There is an option to include a (5 km) side trip to the magnificent Gothic castle of Pernštejn, but the basic route has enough interesting sites to make for an excellent day trip.
• Starting at Nedvědice and heading downstream is the recommended approach, beginning if desired with the diversion to Pernštejn. Pernštejn must be somewhere near the top of the list of most spectacular castles in the Czech Republic. Perched on a rock outcrop above the Nedvědička stream valley, the castle was initially constructed in the 13th century. It was never captured or destroyed. Over the following centuries, the impregnable fortress was enlarged and refurbished several times, leading to a unique blend of late Gothic and Renaissance architecture, embellished with Baroque and Rococo interior decorations.
• Pernštejn is worthy of a trip in its own right – follow the link for a stand-alone walk suggestion. However, if detouring to see the castle, look out for the First Republic villas on the right side heading up to the castle. Vila Vendolských, built in 1906 (and pictured below) is one of the best preserved in the country.
• From Nedvědice, the basic route heads south following the Svratka, mostly in the forest that lines the left bank of the river. The next historic town along the river is Doubravník, founded in the early 13th century and boasting the beautifully reconstructed Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Rebuilt by the Pernštejn family in the 16th century, it is worth a look inside to see the superb Renaissance-Baroque interior.
• The route passes through attractive countryside and old villages such as Borač before reaching the outskirts of Tišnov, where the remarkable Cistercian monastery of Porta Coeli can be found. Included in the monastery complex (which is still occupied by the Cistercians) is the Vorkloster brewery, which is worth a stop for food and a small glass of the locally brewed beer. This is also a Hejlík recommendation.
• The full 25 km circuit shown in the map below includes around 450m of ascent and 500m of descent. If the diversion to Pernštejn is saved for another say, then the 20 km trip includes 300m of ascent and 450m of descent, none of which is on difficult paths or particularly steep.
• For refreshments near the start, try the pretty Kavárna na cestě in Nedvědice (map point 5). On the outskirts of Tišnov, there are various good options in addition to the monastery brewery. Cukrárna Cherry (at map point 9) is worth a stop, as is the nearby popular ice cream shop, Zmrzlina U Krále (map point 10). There is also a pleasant restaurant, the U Palce, near the Tišnov train station (map point 13).

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 Nedvědice, follow the YELLOW hiking trail to reach Pernštejn castle and consider taking a circular loop on one of the marked nature trails to enjoy a variety of views over the castle
• For the basic route start in Nedvědice and join the RED trail heading towards Tišnov
• After 6 km, in Doubravník, join the GREEN trail heading towards Borač, which is reached after 4 km
• In Borač, rejoin the RED trail heading towards Tišnov
• After 1 km there is an option to leave the RED trail for a section and join the cycle path which runs beside the rail line – this is the easier option and is shown in the map above
• Continue on the RED trail as far as the Besének junction and there join the GREEN trail heading towards Předklášteří to visit the Porta coeli Convent
• From the monastery, follow the BLUE trail to reach the Tišnov train station after 2.6 km