Landscape and industrial history meet at Pacova hora: a large quarry with alternating rock layers lies on its southern slope, and in 1848 the first proper lime kiln was built on the mountain by the princely estate. Pacova hora is located in the cadastral area of Dolní Hořice. On clear days, you can see the Šumava Mountains and even the Alps from Dolní Hořice; visibility depends on the weather.
Rock and lime history at Pacova hora
The quarry reveals alternating layers of fine-grained to dense white dolomitic limestone and amphibolite. The different rock types give the place a geological dimension, while the lime kiln points to the former processing of limestone. Both are part of Pacova hora’s history, though they need not be viewed from the same perspective: the rock layers shape the description of the quarry, while the lime kiln represents its industrial past.
The Chýnov Educational Trail also takes in this landscape. It ends at a viewpoint overlooking the quarry at Pacova hora, above the Chýnov Cave in Dolní Hořice. The viewpoint is therefore the trail’s specific endpoint; the rock layers mentioned are part of the quarry it overlooks.
Church and wooded landscape in Hartvíkov
The village of Hartvíkov, part of the municipality of Dolní Hořice, lies in Polánka Nature Park, amid the wooded landscape of the Křemešník Highlands. The Neo-Romanesque Church of Saints Peter and Paul stands there, dating from 1886–1887. The landscape and architectural history here provide a different focus from Pacova hora: in Hartvíkov, a church building in a wooded setting takes centre stage, whereas Pacova hora is defined by its quarry and lime history.
Those interested in architecture can focus on the church as a distinct theme; those more interested in geology and industrial history will find these topics at Pacova hora. This distinction can help you decide which interests to prioritise during your stay, without combining the different places into a single route or day programme.
Educational trail, route and crafts
The Chýnov Cave was the first cave to be opened to the public and is also one of the largest caves in Czechia. This historical distinction sets it apart from the landscape and architectural themes of the other places mentioned. The educational trail ends at the viewpoint above the quarry; the cave itself is not the endpoint of the Chýnov Educational Trail.
Another option for orientation is the “Across the Mountains and Below Them – from Tábor to the Chýnov Cave” route. It leads towards Dolní Hořice and Mašovice. As conditions along the route may change, check them before setting out. Knowing its direction can help with planning, but does not replace your own assessment of current route conditions.
In Pořín, the ceramics workshop is open to everyone interested in crafts. Arrange your visit before travelling. This makes it possible to include this focus on craftsmanship in your plans without equating it with the nature and architectural history themes.
You can choose from several different themes: rocks and lime processing at Pacova hora, architecture and wooded landscape in Hartvíkov, and crafts in Pořín. By contrast, panoramic views from Dolní Hořice are explicitly limited to clear days. Which of these themes you prioritise on your trip may influence your search for a suitable holiday rental.
Discover more destinations: Vlkov, Běleč U Mladé Vožice, Malsice, Zhoř U Mladé Vožice, Obora, Březnice, Sviny, Hrusova Lhota
Go to the main travel overview: Tábor District.
