The Hracholusky Reservoir shapes the experience of staying in the area: Hracholusky lies on gently sloping terrain along the shore and is considered an important recreational destination in the Plzeňský kraj. There are also activities on the water and notable traces of history. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for your stay, you can plan your days around whether swimming and boat trips, outdoor activities on land, or the history of the place should take centre stage.
Water landscape and recreation
The Hracholusky Reservoir stretches for 22 kilometres through the rocky valley of the Mže. An officially designated water area runs parallel to the eastern shore. The associated regulation came into force on 24 March 2026 and permits operation until 15 October 2030. Swimming is allowed in the reservoir; check swimming conditions before travelling.
Boat trips that can be booked in advance depart from the Hracholusky or Transkemp landing stage, travel to the Pňovany railway bridge and return. As services are seasonal, check sailing dates before your trip. The bridge stands on two separate stone piers and is 44 metres high.
Boat trip or journey over land
You can reach the reservoir by train to Pňovany station; from there, continue on foot or by bicycle. Check the timetable if you plan to travel by train. For day-trip planning, a boat trip and a train journey are quite different: the boat trip, which can be booked in advance, follows the water to the bridge and back; by train, you reach Pňovany and continue to the reservoir on foot or by bicycle. This lets you distinguish between an excursion on the water and a journey followed by outdoor activity on land.
Chapel and the history of the reservoir
The Chapel of St. Diviš in Hracholusky was built in 1682. It is a Baroque central-plan building with a hexagonal floor plan and an attached south tower. The term “central-plan building” refers to a design centred around a middle point; the hexagonal floor plan makes this feature tangible in the chapel. The south tower is another architectural feature, built as an extension. The former village of Těchoděly disappeared during the construction of the Hracholusky Reservoir. The local history thus brings together a surviving building and the story of a village that made way for the reservoir.
Fishing and staying overnight by the water
Fishing is permitted around the clock in the Mže 4 fishing area at the Hracholusky Reservoir. As local fishing rules and permits may change, check the current conditions before fishing. Camping and bivouacking outside campsites are prohibited in the vicinity of the reservoir. Confirm the current rules before planning an overnight stay outdoors.
The grounds of Kempu Keramika include a water rescue station that operates around the clock during the summer season. Confirm its seasonal availability before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Výrov, Vysoká Libyně, Horní Bříza, Trnová, Hvozd, Nekmíř, Dobříč, Zruč-Senec
Go to the broader travel overview: Okres Plzeň-Sever.
