Around Brno Lake Trail

Route tracking:

Brno Dam, quay – Brno Lake, dam – Swimming baths Sokolské koupaliště - Osada - Zouvalka - Junácká louka meadow - Chudčice - Veverská Bítýška - Mečkov - Veveří Castle - Ríšova studánka spring - Kočičí žleb valley - Brno Lake, quay

Characteristics:

On your cycle trip around the Brno Dam you will mostly cycle on unmarked trails on paved roads, as well as off-road through breathtaking countryside. Along the trail that deliberately avoids busy road traffic you will visit two major attractions located around Brno Lake – the Jarošův mlýn mill in Veverská Bítýška and Veveří Castle.

Route parameters:

Route difficulty: Turista
Length: 29,9 km
Choosing the right bicycle: Horské
Tourist area: Brno a okolí
Maximum / minimum altitude: m.s.l. / m.s.l.
Total elevation: m
Total of vertical meters ascended: m

Description:

Brno Lake is almost adjacent to urban built-up areas of Brno. Citizens of Brno can enjoy trips, swimming and water sports at their arm's length. Further up from the town the lake gets narrower and the built-up areas are replaced by the natural scenery of steep banks. The lake's surface reflects the impressive Veveří Castle and an elegant footbridge. This cycle trail is very nice, but difficult at places.

The beginning of your cycle ride is at the tram stop “Přístaviště”. Heading down towards the lake dam, you will pass the hotel Santon. Next to the dam you will find a memorial for a dyke master Šikula who – at the end of World War II – thwarted the Nazis' plan to destroy the dam. Enjoy the scenery; the view down the valley is spectacular particularly at high water levels. You will see the power plant below the dam and a pillar that is a fragment of the so called Hitler's Motorway.

The swimming establishment Sokolské koupaliště, your next stop along the left bank, is ideal for water fun on hot days. You may take another stop in Osada just after 0.5 km at a tourist restaurant or on the beach. We recommend replenishing your supplies of food and drinks as there is no establishment for refreshments on that trail up to Chudčice. Riding along a nice forest road from Osada along the left bank, you will need to watch out for pedestrians. Fortunately, cars are not allowed to on this road. Then the paved surface dissapears and an off-road section starts through rocky terrains around Zouvalka. After some recent improvements, pedestrians have the right of way over cyclists on this stretch, so you will have to dismount and lead your bike in spots. As you arrive at the meadow Junácká louka you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monumental Veveří Castle.

If you want to cut your trip short here, turn left and ride down along a red marked tourist path, cross over the footbridge to the right bank of the lake and get onto a busy road that will take you back to Brno.

Pass through the meadow Junácká louka keeping to the right hand side along the forest. At the end of the meadow turn sharp right at right angle straight up the hill. You will not be riding straight ahead along a slightly adrenalin yellow marked tourist path, but ride along the forest road following the blue marked tourist path up to the place called U Tří křížů (Three Crosses), and then straight ahead along that same road until you come out of the woods onto a road. Soon, the road will join the cycle trail 5231, which will take you along the road, then through a meadow, past an inn and playground in Chudčice, across the road in Chudčice only to "find" a deep cutting of a former railway line and take you to Veverská Bítýška.

In Veverská Bítýška, do not forget to visit the local historical sight – the mill Jarošův mlýn. Ride from the square approximately 700 m along the brook Bílý potok upstream. When you have finished your visit, return to the square. Riding to Brno along the right bank, you will meet almost no motorised traffic, but there are some off-road sections. By following the red tourist mark along local streets in Veverská Bítýška you will get onto a road passing the camp Hana and onto the bridge over the river. At this point you can end up your trip and return to Brno using a tourist boat along with your bikes. The boats on Brno Lake are unique as they are electric driven with power supplied by batteries. Taking a ship on the lake is a sought-after experience.

Continue along the right bank up to the holiday village of Mečkov and ride a short climb through the village. Afterwards you ride on and off-road section with various ascents and descents passable with caution in wet conditions. You come to the massive Castle Veveří, which is open for public. If you decide here to go by boat straight to Brno, cycle from the parking below the castle to your left along the path for pedestrians and cyclists leading to the quay.

However we recommend that you turn right and cycle along the road for about 250 m; then take the turn to the left, cross a small bridge, come to a building called Prádelna and go along an ascending forest road (blue marked tourist path) up to the spring Ríšova studánka. This is the only truly hard climb on this trail, but then you will be rewarded with an approximately 2.8 km-long descent along a paved forest road stretching from the spring Ríšova studánka via the valley Kočičí žleb down to Rakovec. At the end of the trip you can relax on the beach called Na Špici or taste goodies at plentiful stalls and restaurants around the quay.

 

Recommended points of interest:

Hotel Santon and its wellness centre

Sokolské koupaliště – swimming baths

Junácká louka – meadow offering a beautiful view of Veveří Castle

Veverská Bítýška: Jarošův mlýn – mill

Veveří Castle