Stará Huť lies at the foot of the Brdy Mountains, beside the Kocába stream. Two themes shape the town: the legacy of Karel Čapek and the history of ironworking. The educational trail combines walking routes with stops devoted to Čapek and visible remains of local ironworking. Its circular routes vary in length and course, making it easy to choose between a shorter walk and a longer tour.
Industrial History by the Water
The settlement was probably established in 1674. Its industrial development was linked to iron ore from the Brdy Mountains, timber from the forests, and suitable water resources. Water from the outflow of Strž Pond and from the Kocába gradually made it possible to build a system of four hammer mills. There, pig iron was processed into usable wrought iron. The first iron rolling mill in Bohemia and throughout the then Austrian Empire was also built in Stará Huť.
Karel Čapek Memorial and Getting There
The Karel Čapek Memorial was established in 1963 in the house where the writer spent the last three years of his life. After an extensive renovation of the building and exhibition, it reopened on 25 April 1997. It is dedicated to Karel Čapek and his wife, the actress and writer Olga Scheinpflugová. The memorial focuses on both Čapek’s life and the history of the house.
The memorial can be reached by car, train, and bus. If you are travelling by public transport, check the timetables for your travel dates. This will let you combine your journey with a visit to the memorial or a walk along the educational trail, without relying on a specific connection or departure time.
Educational Trail: Three Circular Routes of Varying Lengths
The Karel Čapek educational trail also follows the original route along which the writer liked to walk. Information panels and rest areas complement the trail. The first circular route is an approximately 2 km walk, particularly suitable for families with young children and seniors. The second circular route follows the original route preferred by Čapek and is about 7 km long. These two distances offer a guide when choosing between a shorter walk and a longer circuit.
The third circular route leads to the so-called Plechhamr. There, you can either cross the Kocába and then continue according to the map, or return to the junction and walk back to the memorial along the second circular route. Conditions at the ford can vary, so check them before setting out. The alternative via the junction offers a different route back to the memorial without crossing the river.
The educational trail is interactive: you can pick up a worksheet at the memorial and fill it in at the individual stops. Ten information panels cover local history, fauna, and flora. The memorial garden is also home to the sound totem Klikotoč, which presents three stories in Czech, English, and Japanese.
Strž and Cycling Routes
At the Strž (Gorge) site, also known as Čapkárna, there is an exhibition on the history of local ironworks and hammer mills. From the free car park at Strž Pond, the site is reached via a 400 m level footpath on a paved surface. A free e-bike charging point and bicycle racks are available at the site. As parking, access, and visitor facilities may change, it is advisable to check for current information before your visit.
Strž lies on the red hiking trail known as the Říp–Blaník Pilgrimage Route; follow the current trail markings. Cycling Route 308 also passes through Stará Huť and connects Dobříš, Stará Huť, Chramiště, and Prostřední Lhota. Another option is the cycling excursion “Kolem zámku za Karlem Čapkem” (“Around the Castle with Karel Čapek”), which leads to Stará Huť and the memorial. The first excursion on this route is approximately 13 km long and starts and ends in Dobříš.
Discover more destinations: Dublovice, Hrimezdice, Rosovice, Drevníky, Milešov, Vranovice, Borotice, Dubno.
For the overview of the wider area: Příbram District.
