Písek District: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

In Písek District, routes through the Písek Mountains meet castles, monastery complexes, the Orlík Reservoir and a local brewing tradition. Between landscapes, history and excursion destinations, South Bohemia reveals numerous different facets.

Hiking and cycling

The Písecká hřebenovka is a 74-kilometre hiking trail with a cultural and historical section, an Otava section and a final stage through the Písek Mountains to the Jarník lookout tower. The Sedláček Trail also runs as a 25-kilometre hiking route along the Otava River from Písek to Zvíkov. For shared use by hikers and cyclists, a 35-kilometre cycle route numbered 1225 is described along the Sedláček Trail.

Other routes connect the surrounding places: Cycle route 1149 runs for 19 kilometres from Písek to Zvíkovské Podhradí and Zvíkov. A separate description of cycle route 1225 follows the Sedláček Trail from Písek via the gas pipeline footbridge and Varvažov to Orlík and gives its length as 31 kilometres. The Písecko–Blatensko–Strakonicko–Vodňansko tourism area promotes the Sedláček Trail for hiking and cycling.

Nature

The Písek Mountains have been a protected area since 1973; hiking and cycling are possible there. The V Obouch natural monument provides nesting sites for many bird species and is home to a permanent population of European otters. Němec Pond has a small island that can be reached on foot via a footbridge. Archaeological finds identify this island as the site of a fortified settlement dating from the 15th century.

At 633 metres, Velký Mehelník is the highest peak in the Písek Mountains. The Jarník lookout tower has a 35-metre-high viewing platform with views towards the Bohemian Forest, the Novohradské Mountains, Kleť, the Písek region and Brdy.

Culture and history

Zvíkov Castle is an early Gothic castle above the confluence of the Otava and Vltava rivers. The parts open to visitors include the royal palace, the royal bedchambers, the knights’ hall, the crown hall and St Wenceslas Chapel. From Zvíkov Castle, visitors can take a boat trip to the nearby Orlík Chateau.

Milevsko Monastery is described as the oldest and largest monastery in South Bohemia and as the site of the region’s only Romanesque basilica. It can be reached by car, by train followed by a three-kilometre marked footpath, or via cycle route 1059. Guided tours include the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, the abbey chapel, the Paradise Courtyard, the Church of St Giles in the cemetery, former prelature rooms and the Baroque library in the Latin School.

In Písek, the Kamenný most is the oldest surviving stone bridge in Bohemia and an important medieval monument. The Fish and Fishing Exhibition at the Prácheň Museum displays fish from Czech rivers, ponds and reservoirs in several aquariums.

Vráž Spa is located in a neo-Gothic chateau in the Otava Valley, surrounded by an English-style park and woodland. Vráž Chateau and the park form a heritage site.

Water and brewing tradition

The Orlík Reservoir offers boat trips, water sports, fishing and summer recreation. Divers can search there for the flooded church of the former Těchnice, about 60 metres below the water’s surface.

At the Čížová Chateau Brewery, beer tasting or purchasing beer directly at the brewery is possible by prior arrangement. The local beers from Čížová are neither filtered nor pasteurised. Beer has been brewed in the Čížová Chateau building since 1629.

Getting around locally

Crocodile ZOO Protivín can be reached by train or bus; local parking is available.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Písek District can continue via the pages for the individual places: Drahenicky, Luckovice, Mišovice, Branice, Vlksice, Předotice, Ražice, Sepekov, Skály, Tálín, Veselíčko, Rakovice, Zhoř, Nerestce, Přeštěnice, Vojníkov, Zběšičky, Smetanova Lhota, Myslín, Nevězice, Paseky, Okrouhlá, Olešná, Podolí I, Probulov, Přeborov, Vráž, Stehlovice, Vlastec, Temešvár, Vrcovice, Zbelítov, Božetice, Králova Lhota, Křenovice, Křižanov, Boudy, Albrechtice Nad Vltavou, Drhovle, Hrazany, Hrejkovice, Jetětice, Kestřany, Cimelice, Minice, Borečnice, Jestrebice, Kucer, Štědronín-Plazy, Orlik Nad Vltavou, Ostrovec, Slabčice, Slavkovice, Nová Ves U Protivína, Oslov, Písecká Smoleč, Protivin, Putim, Varvazov, Zebrakov, Radvánov, Vadkovice, Záluží, Pametice U Pisku, Vusi, Obora U Cerhonic, Kovářov, Květov, Lety, Dobev, Pisek, Záhoří and Písku, Bernartice U Milevska, Cervena, Cerhonice, Kožlí, Dolní Novosedly, Zvíkovské Podhradí, Mirovice, Kluky, Kostelec Nad Vltavou, Milevsko, Cerveny Ujezdec, Horosedly, Chyšky, Mirotice, Chrást, Jickovice, Cizova.

To the overarching travel overview: South Bohemian Region.