Chlum-Korouhvice can be explored via an extensive network of hiking and cycling trails. A blue-marked hiking route leads uphill from Vír through Chlum and onwards to Javorův kopec; the protected landscape, the bay of the Vír Reservoir and the history of Korouhvice offer other distinct points of interest. When choosing accommodation, you can first consider whether trails, nature or the traces of former Korouhvice should shape your stay.

Hiking Trails and Views

The blue hiking route from Vír runs uphill through Chlum and onwards to Javorův kopec. The extensive network of hiking and cycling trails also includes the blue-marked cycling route 5218, which passes through Chlum to a forest crossroads below Javorův kopec. The stated destinations therefore differ clearly: on foot, the route continues to the mountain; by bike, it goes to a crossroads below it. Markings may change, so check the current trail information before setting out.

Another regional hike is called “Za nejvyšším převýšením Vysočiny” (“In Search of the Greatest Elevation Gain in Vysočina”). It is 17 kilometres long and takes about 5.5 hours. This approximate time gives you a guide for planning your day. The local trail network also includes a route to the Horní les observation tower. The tower stands nearby on the 774-metre-high mountain of the same name; its viewing platform is 38 metres above the ground. The observation tower is open to the public annually from 15 April to 15 October. If you plan to visit, check access information before your trip.

Protected Nature at Javorův kopec

The Javorův kopec Natural Monument protects a mosaic of wet cabbage thistle meadows and spring areas, transitioning into mesic meadows and Nardus grasslands. Two orchid species also have populations there: the western marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis) and the lesser butterfly orchid (Platanthera bifolia). These specific habitats and plants give the natural monument its distinctive character. There is also a protected lime tree in Chlum. The area’s natural attractions thus range from the protected landscape mosaic on the mountain to a single protected tree in the village.

Korouhvice by the Vír Reservoir

There is a bay of the Vír Reservoir in Korouhvice. When the water level is low, the foundations of the original houses become visible, along with a pond by the former mill and a path with a small bridge. The visibility of these traces explicitly depends on the water level, so they cannot be counted on during every visit. The history of the village explains the setting: when the Vír I waterworks were built, the village of Korouhvice disappeared in 1958, with the exception of three houses. The remains are therefore both a feature of the landscape and a reminder of a specific change to the village.

History and Local Tradition

Chlum is mentioned as early as 1349. A rychta—a historical magistrate’s office or administrative district—is recorded there in 1596. After the Edict of Toleration was proclaimed, the majority of the residents of Chlum and Korouhvice turned to the Protestant faith. These historical details show different aspects of the village’s past: early references, administration and the religious development of its population.

Local place names also preserve a story. The fields V Kostele and U Kostela bear traditional names; a local legend connects them with a shared church history of Chlum and Vítochov. A historic fire engine is also on display on Chlum’s village green. Together with the protected lime tree and the traces by the reservoir, these details offer a different perspective from the trails around Javorův kopec: they draw attention to local tradition, village life and the history of Chlum and Korouhvice.

Discover more destinations: Sviny, Nové Sady, Hodíškov, Sejřek, Osová Bítýška, Uhřínov, Račín, Rousměrov.

For the wider travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.