*Walks around Žďár (629m) – the dominant peak in the Trhoň nature reserve: 5 km to 12 km*

Walks around Žďár (629m) – the dominant peak in the Trhoň nature reserve: 5 km to 12 km

The Trhoň nature reserve is a small protected forest and upland area located near Rokycany, just south the D5 highway. Geologically it is an extension of the Brdy highland area but with somewhat lower peaks the forests are more mixed than in Brdy and include some picturesque natural beech groves. The reserve is well known to autumn mushroom hunters but for walkers its quiet paths offer some fine forest and hill landscapes in all seasons.
The dominant feature of the nature reserve is the peak Žďár (629m), which has excellent views from its rocky summit ridge towards the Křivoklátsko hills. The summit was inhabited nearly 3000 years ago, when a relatively large (24 ha) late Bronze Age fortification was constructed, probably by a tribe of the Knovíz culture . The purpose and duration of the prehistoric site has yet to be determined. The stone ramparts on the south and western flanks are still visible.
There are several marked hiking trails to and around Žďár peak. The closest train station (which has direct trains to-from Prague) is Svojkovice. The direct route to the summit from Svojkovice station (along the yellow trail) is just 2.5 km long. However, the forest around the peak is particularly diverse and attractive and it is definitely worth extending the trip to do a full circle around the peak.
This suggested extended route is 12.3 km long and involves 330m of ascent-descent. It is a particularly beautiful walk in autumn, but is also suitable as a winter walk as none of the paths are particularly steep and the views of the snow covered landscape are spectacular. There are no refreshment options on the route or in Svojkovice, so the nearest good food is probably in Rokycany, where the restaurant Železná is highly regarded.

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

Start the walk in the village of Svojkovice from the train station. If driving, there are usually parking spots beside the road after passing under the railway (the first part of the YELLOW hiking trail)
Follow the YELLOW trail towards the forest. The trail leads gently uphill for 1.7 km to reach the junction of Nad Svojkovicemi
If taking the direct route to the summit, continue on the YELLOW trail for 800m. If preferring the (recommended) longer route, turn left at Nad Svojkovicemi onto the blue-white diagonal marked nature trail
Follow the nature trail for 1 km to reach the Pod Žďárem junction and here turn right onto the RED trail which leads to the summit in 1.4 km
From the summit, continue on the RED trail which runs scenically along the summit ridge and then descends the western flank of the hill. After 1.3 km the RED trail meets the blue-white diagonal striped nature trail again. Leave the RED trail and turn left onto the blue-white nature trail again
This trail circles around the peak on a terrace path, to return back to the Pod Žďárem junction after 3.9 km. Here, turn right onto the RED trail in the direction of Holoubkov
The trail leaves the forest and crosses a field to reach a public road after 1.1 km
Turn left onto the road, still following the RED trail marks. After 500m, reach a crossroads – the RED trail turns right into the forest again, and a minor road turns left, signposted Svojkovice. Take the left turn and follow this road for 1.4 km back to the train station.