A circular route starting at the open-air folk museum at Vysoký Chlumec, near Sedlčany: 13 km

• The Benešovská Pahorkatina (Benešov uplands) are a range of low hills (mostly in the 500m to 600m height range) that run in a northeasterly direction starting at the right bank of the Vltava river near Orlík. The attractive town of Sedlčany is at approximately the mid point. This is pretty, rolling farming country with wide-ranging views from the rounded hilltops. The hiking trails around here are quiet, undemanding and worth seeking out.
• A good excuse for a medium length walk in these hills is a visit to the open-air folk museum (skanzen) at Vysoký Chlumec. This well done collection of rural buildings dating from the 17th century, which were transported from villages in the Vltava area, is run by the Příbram mining museum (although there is no specific connection to mining). The entrance fee is absurdly cheap (note that the museum is closed in winter).
• The museum is just outside the village of Vysoký Chlumec, which itself has some fine historical architecture, not least the stunning castle which stands on a granite outcrop overlooking the village. The late Gothic castle was modified in the 17th century, but otherwise maintains its late 14th century appearance.
• For much of its life the castle was owned by the noble Lobkowicz family. The castle was sold to the Count of Arco-Zinneberg in 1998. The Count died in 2021. He was the great grandson of the last Bavarian king, Ludwig III and was married to Archduchess Marie Beatrix, a granddaughter of the last Habsburg king Of Bohemia, Charles I. The castle remains in the family’s ownership and is inaccessible to the public at this time.
• The route shown in the map below is pleasant 13 km circuit, in easy terrain with a surprising variety of views along the way. There is just over 300m of height to ascend/descend, not of which is steep. The route is mostly on open meadow footpaths and country lanes. For refreshments, consider a stop at the Restaurace U Radešínka, which is attached to a hotel complex (with a well known adventure golf course).

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

• Most will probably drive to Vysoký Chlumec and use the large free parking area. For those on public transport, buses run to the village from Sedlčany
• The route can be done either clockwise or anticlockwise – the direction shown above is anticlockwise, which takes the bigger hills at the start (a preference for most walkers!)
• From the museum car park, take the RED trail uphill though the forest
• After 1 km reach the Poušť sv. Marka trail junction next to the farmhouse
• Leave the RED trail at this point and continue straight on the farm track. This track rejoins the RED trail after 500m at the Na Pancířích junction
• Here, turn left back onto the RED trail heading towards the village of Pořešice. which is reached after 3.6 km
• In Pořešice. join the YELLOW trail, heading towards Počepice, which is reached after 3.3 km
• In Počepice, join the RED trail which leads directly back to Vysoký Chlumec (note: if visiting the restaurant, the entrance is just off the RED trail heading out of the village – 100m form the point the RED trail bends to the right – map point 7)