Velká Losenice combines winter cross-country skiing, a longer excursion and the Church of St. James the Greater. These three themes differ in season, route character and cultural focus: the Losenický Circuit passes through the Peperek Nature Monument, the excursion starts and ends in the town, and the church adds regional sacred architecture to your choice of destination. When planning your trip, the first thing to decide is whether you want to focus on a winter circuit, a longer route or culture.

Cross-country skiing on the Losenický Circuit

The Losenický Circuit is a winter cross-country skiing loop from Velká Losenice through the Peperek Nature Monument and back. It is 9.3 kilometres long, with an elevation difference of 60 metres. The route includes forest paths, meadows and fields. The route length indicates its scope, while the elevation figure provides a second concrete point of comparison. Check winter route conditions before setting off.

Getting to the car park in winter

Access to the car park also depends on the season. In winter, the car park near Velká Losenice is accessible only from Velká Losenice; the road from Vepřová is not maintained during this season. As road maintenance can change, check the local situation before setting off. Take this restriction into account when planning your journey.

A longer excursion from Velká Losenice

The excursion “In the footsteps of miners, Žižka and unfaithful women” starts and ends in Velká Losenice and is approximately 23 kilometres long. This makes it considerably longer than the 9.3-kilometre Losenický Circuit. The route character differs too: here, a longer excursion is set against an explicitly winter cross-country skiing loop. If you are choosing by distance, the shorter loop and the approximately 23-kilometre tour provide two clearly distinct points of comparison.

St. James: architecture and regional significance

The Church of St. James the Greater is a single-nave Gothic building with a striking tower and a polygonal chancel. It is one of the oldest sacred buildings in the Vysočina Region and is listed in the Central Register of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic. “Single-nave” describes a layout with one main nave; “polygonal” refers to the multi-sided shape of the chancel. This helps place the church’s architectural features in context, as well as its regional historical significance.

Regular services are held at the parish church of St. James the Greater on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The service schedule was updated on 11 December 2024; check the times before your visit.

Comparing the options

Season and distance are the main factors when choosing between the two routes: the Losenický Circuit is a 9.3-kilometre winter cross-country skiing loop, while the other excursion is approximately 23 kilometres long and starts and ends in the town. The church adds a cultural focus, with its own architectural history and regional context.

Discover more destinations: Rovečné, Rudolec, Bohuňov, Borovnice, Oslavička, Martinice, Budeč, Velke Mezirici

For the broader travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.