Nová Bystřice offers several distinct starting points for planning a trip: medieval architecture, a car museum, themed trails and a narrow-gauge railway. Routes range from a textile trail with a specific distance to a long-distance hiking route of around 110 kilometres. You can tailor your stay to culture, nature or rail travel, while taking into account the different scales of the routes.
Church and Museum
The Church of St Peter and Paul is the most prominent landmark in the town’s historic preservation zone. It dates from the Middle Ages and preserves valuable medieval architectural features. These include the perimeter walls, the presbytery vault, a northern chapel, portals on the lower level of the tower and leading to the sacristy, as well as wall paintings in the presbytery. The features range from masonry and portals to a vault, chapel and paintings.
The Muzeum veteránů in Nová Bystřice displays more than 70 classic American cars in themed halls. Each season, the museum also prepares new exhibits, films and comedies for the cinema. If you would like to plan your visit around a particular programme, check the current selection before your trip.
Themed Trails with Different Focuses
The Stezka Českou Kanadou long-distance hiking route is about 110 kilometres long and divided into eight stages, each 11 to 18 kilometres. It connects Nová Bystřice with Jindřichův Hradec, Slavonice and Dačice. The stage lengths give a clear idea of the route’s scale, distinguishing it significantly from shorter trails with a more narrowly defined theme.
The Stezka 20. století presents the historical development of the local region in the 20th century along two circular routes of 30 and 19 kilometres. It starts in the square in Nová Bystřice, where an overview board is located. The Textilní stezka, by contrast, focuses on textile history and a set route: the 25-kilometre trail begins beyond Nová Bystřice on the road towards Hradiště and returns to town at its seventh information board. The route is suitable for cyclists, although some sections have unpaved surfaces.
The Stezka vyznání explores important moments in the history of the Novobystřicko region through five interpretive panels, focusing on events closely connected with changes in the Christian faith. It starts by the church in the square and is just under 50 kilometres long. All the panels can be reached by car on paved roads; check road conditions before setting out. The Graselova stezka Nová Bystřice starts at the information centre in the town square. It is marked with a yellow disc bearing a white “G”. The trail passes the Mnišský and Proudný ponds before reaching Blanko Pond, where a nature reserve is located.
Blanko Natural Area
The Blanko Nature Reserve lies within the administrative area of the municipality of Nová Bystřice and covers part of the cadastral area of Mnich u Nové Bystřice. It protects a mesotrophic pond with well-developed shoreline vegetation, as well as a fen meadow. Together with the Graselova stezka route, it offers a specific focus on nature alongside the town’s cultural and technological history.
Narrow-Gauge Railway and Practical Information
The Jindřichohradecké narrow-gauge railway has resumed regular service. All trains have their own bicycle carriage, useful information if you are considering combining rail travel and cycling. The Nová Bystřice Tourist Information Centre provides information about bus and train connections, the narrow-gauge railway and its timetable. Since timetables and transport information can change, it is worth checking the latest details before travelling.
During the summer holidays, the railway operator runs a bistro at Nová Bystřice station. The service is seasonal; check its availability before your trip. This is a practical planning tip for a rail journey, without assuming the bistro is open year-round.
Discover more destinations: Starý Bozdechov, Vícemil, Kamenný Malíkov, Kostelní Radouň, Jindřichův Hradec 1, Horní Lhota, Újezdec U Kardašovy Řečice, Hříšice.
For the broader travel overview: Jindřichův Hradec District.
