On the Around the Ponds route, the path leads to the dam of Hořejší Pond in Tchořovice; from there, you can enjoy a view of the 14th-century Gothic fortress. In the village, the fortress, a protected cultural monument, is a cultural focal point, while the village square is defined by the Chapel of St Wenceslas. The Hořejší Pond Nature Reserve lies on the western edge of the village. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose from specific cultural and nature-related attractions, as well as several routes described in different ways.

Fortress and Village Square

At the fortress archaeological site, a two-storey, four-winged granary has been preserved, surrounded by ditches and bodies of water. The site is entered from the east via a stone bridge with two arches. Remains of Renaissance sgraffito can be seen on the granary’s exterior façade. The 14th-century Gothic fortress and the Renaissance traces thus represent distinct architectural influences.

The Chapel of St Wenceslas, built in 1878, is a prominent feature of the village square. Houses No. 10 and 12, built in the rural Baroque style, also stand there. The chapel and the houses provide different points of interest: 1878 is the date associated with the chapel, while rural Baroque is the style attributed to the two houses. If you are interested in architectural history, you will find both a religious building with a specific construction date and examples of this rural architectural style here.

Pond Landscape and Nature Reserve

The Hořejší Pond Nature Reserve lies on the western edge of Tchořovice. It includes the historic Hořejší Pond, at the confluence of the Hradišťský and Smolivecký (Lomnice) streams. The area has a high biodiversity of animal communities. The nature attractions here therefore include both a clearly defined landscape setting and the diversity of animal communities.

The pond is not only part of the description of the nature reserve, but also a specific destination on the Around the Ponds route: in Tchořovice, the route leads to the dam of Hořejší Pond. From there, you can see the 14th-century Gothic fortress. The path thus combines a stretch by the pond with a view of the cultural monument, without requiring you to confuse the two destinations.

Compare Hiking Routes

Around the Ponds is a 12.2-kilometre circular route along the Vrbno–Tchořovice–Vrbno trail. Before reaching Tchořovice, the route passes through the airfield grounds. In the village, it continues to the dam of Hořejší Pond. The distance and circular route give you a clear indication of the hike’s length; the described view of the fortress is from the section by the dam.

Another walking option starts at the railway station: a blue-marked hiking trail begins there and runs along the edge of Tchořovice to Podtchořovický Mill. The two hiking options differ in their routes and destinations. Around the Ponds is the circular route via Vrbno, with the pond dam and a view of the fortress; the blue-marked trail runs along the edge of the village to the mill. You can choose a route based on which of these destinations you would like to focus on.

Cycling and Getting Your Bearings

The Blatná–Tchořovice cycling tour starts at the Blatná Information Centre and initially follows cycle route 31. For road orientation, first-class road I/20 runs through Tchořovice and connects České Budějovice with Plzeň. This gives you two distinct points of reference for planning: the start of a cycling tour in Blatná and a road connection through Tchořovice between the two cities.

Discover more destinations: Dřešín, Osek, Pohorovice, Milonovice, Litochovice, Krty-Hradec, Bavorov, Milčice

For the wider travel overview: Strakonice District.