Glassmaking, village history and cross-country skiing offer different ways to experience Skrdlovice. At the small U Hrocha glassworks, the focus is on guided demonstrations and—by prior arrangement—making your own glass product. There is also a walking route through the village square and seasonal winter sports options. Skrdlovice is located in the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area. Seasonal conditions affect these activities in different ways: at the glassworks, they affect access; for cross-country skiing, they affect snow conditions and trail preparation. If you plan to do both, take these conditions into account separately rather than assuming they depend on the same seasonal factors.
Glassmaking on site
The small U Hrocha glassworks in Skrdlovice focuses on glass tourism. Led by master glassmaker Oldřich Šimpach, it offers guided demonstrations of how items are made from hand-formed glass at the glassworks. Visitors can make their own glass product under the guidance of a master glassmaker; advance booking is required. Access to the glassworks is seasonal. Take this into account when planning your visit.
Local history and village walk
The former glassworks in Skrdlovice was founded by Emanuel Beránek in 1940 and ceased production in 2008.
A walking route through Skrdlovice passes across the village square and by the Chapel of Saints Cyril and Methodius. In front of the chapel are statues of these two saints as well as a statue of Saint Wenceslas. This gives visitors a specific cultural landmark to include on a walk through the village, alongside its glassmaking heritage. Those interested in local religious history can include the square and chapel in their visit.
Its location in the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area adds a natural setting to a visit, while the glassworks and chapel provide specific cultural highlights.
Cross-country skiing and cycling
The Škrdlovický okruh is an easy, nine-kilometre cross-country ski route around Skrdlovice. It is groomed for both skating and classic cross-country skiing. Snow conditions and grooming are seasonal; check conditions before setting out. The Škrdlovice cross-country ski loop starts at the edge of the village, near the turnoff to the holiday cottage area at Velké Dářko.
The Škrdlovická trasa za skláři is a 35-kilometre cycling trip. It starts in Skrdlovice and follows in the footsteps of the glassmakers of the past. As route details may change, check them before planning your trip. Its connection to the glassmakers offers a different way to explore the glassmaking theme than the demonstrations and hands-on work at the glassworks.
When choosing between the routes, the activity, distance and theme are key: the cross-country ski loop is rated easy at nine kilometres and depends on seasonal snow conditions; the 35-kilometre cycling trip explores the history of the glassmakers of the past.
Discover more destinations: Saar, Osová BĂtýška, DaleÄŤĂn, SklenĂ©, ChlumÄ›tĂn, Nyklovice, Oslavice, Chlum-Korouhvice
For the broader travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.
