The “Už ty mlýny doklapaly” educational trail passes nine former mills around Vlkov, Křoví and Velká Bíteš. The shorter circular route is 12 kilometres long; the adjoining circular route around Křoví measures a further 7 kilometres, making 19 kilometres in total. The area therefore offers a clear choice between two route options of different lengths.
Mill Trails and a Longer Cycling Tour
When planning the educational trail, take note of a current condition advisory: parts of the path may be in poor condition due to bark beetle damage and timber harvesting. Some marked trees are damaged or completely missing. Check the advisory again before your trip so you can adjust your route choice to the reported conditions.
Another option is the 45-kilometre “Do údolí Bílého potoka na kole” cycling tour, which passes through Křoví. The stated route lengths and the type of each tour provide a useful starting point for comparing the two options: the educational trail visits former mills along circular routes, while the cycling tour is a longer route through the village.
The Landscape Around Křoví
The southern and southeastern parts of the Křoví municipal area belong to the “Údolí Bílého potoka” Nature Park and are subject to enhanced landscape protection. This designation applies specifically to this part of the municipal area. Another natural feature is the Křovský úval: it has natural and semi-cultivated meadow communities with warmth-loving plants. The site is threatened by encroaching shrubs.
Other named spots in the landscape include the “Studánka sv. Jána” spring near the Křoví sawmill and a forest pond nearby. On a hill southeast of Křoví stand the wooden sculptures “Reklama na čučení do krajiny” by Ing. arch. Župka. From there, views open up over the village and into the valley of the Bílý potok; conditions at the viewpoint may change.
Church, Monument and Local History
The Neoclassical Church of St Peter and Paul in Křoví is a cultural monument dating from 1808. A cross from the same year stands in front of the church and is listed as an immovable cultural monument. Another protected site is the wayside shrine in the northern part of Křoví, which has been protected as a monument since 1958.
The written history of the village also has a specific early reference: Křoví was first mentioned in writing in 1371 in connection with its sale. In the 18th century, the area had so-called Kutiště sites where iron ores were extracted. A separate, later chapter in the industrial history concerns the quarry below Bítešská horka. Graphite and limonite were mined there from 1870 to 1885.
A Local Flour Offering
There is also a specific product for those interested in local production: Pekárkova mouka offers eleven types of flour directly from Pekárkův Mill; purchases can be made directly in Křoví. The product range may change.
Discover more destinations: Pikárec, Spělkov, Chlum-Korouhvice, Cikháj, Újezd, Horní Libochová, Ořechov, Velké Janovice.
For the broader travel overview: Žďár nad Sázavou District.
