Hvožďany lies on a hill, 2.5 kilometres west of Poběžovice. Its defining features include protected meadow vegetation, a geological quartz-vein outcrop and a village green with a pond. The routes also provide clear orientation: a hiking trail and several cycle routes pass through the municipality. Visitors to Hvožďany can explore nature, geology, local history and route planning as distinct points of interest.
Protected meadows and geological features
Hvožďanská louka is a protected natural monument on the southeastern slope of Nademlýnský vrch. It covers just under seven hectares and lies on the boundary between the cadastral areas of Načetín and Hvožďany. Its diverse natural meadow vegetation includes specially protected plant species. Do not pick protected plants. Check the boundaries and local access rules before visiting.
Another natural feature is Český val u Poběžovic. This geological site is located in the cadastral area of Hvožďany u Poběžovic, in the municipality of Hvožďany. It is one of the few large, well-preserved quartz-vein outcrops that form the Český křemenný val. The outcrop lies about 1.5 kilometres west of Poběžovice, on the road to Mnichov, 250 metres beyond the turn-off for Hvožďany. The access road comes within 250 metres of the site; it is fully accessible by car. Check local access conditions before your visit.
Hiking and cycling routes
A hiking trail and several cycle routes pass through Hvožďany. Cycle route 2281 also runs through the village; check its current route markings before setting out. For hikers, the long-distance trail Zlatá stezka 14 is another useful reference: its first section runs from Poběžovice to Bělá nad Radbuzou via Hvožďany, Mnichov and Pivoň. Check the trail markings and conditions before setting off. The named stage locations help you understand the route of this section; the cycle routes offer a separate focus for trip planning.
A hiking trail and several cycle routes provide different route options, but do not indicate how long a walk or ride will take. The specific references are useful for orientation: for cycle route 2281, it is the number; for Zlatá stezka 14, it is the sequence of places and the two endpoints. Plan your route using this information and check the markings on site.
Village green and local history
A turn-off from the road between Poběžovice and Mnichov leads across Hvožďany’s spacious village green. The village preserves the layout of a circular green with a village pond. The green is therefore both part of the road layout and a distinctive feature of the traditional settlement pattern.
Hvožďany was first mentioned in 1528 as part of the abandoned castle of Starý Herštejn. Later, the village passed to the Poběžovice estate. The area’s former industries are also part of its history: historically, Hvožďany had mills and a paper mill on the Pivoňka stream. Several mills operated south of the village, near Mlýnský potok. The two stream names associate these historical references with different locations: Pivoňka is linked to the paper mill, and Mlýnský potok to the mills to the south.
Discover more destinations: Karlova Hut, Velký Malahov, Kvíčovice, Loučim, Vidice, Vlkanov, Osvračín, Capartice
Return to the regional travel overview: Domažlice District.
