Z Horažďovic předměstí zamíříme do Chanovic a na zámek Lnáře

Author: Petr Škotko

Few places are as unique, mysterious, and in their own way hidden from people as the village of Chanovice. And yet, it is a highly attractive destination for tourists! A chateau, open-air museum, lookout tower, legends about Jan Žižka or devils.

The route we'll take today easily fits within 35 kilometers, but only if we cover a significant portion by train. If you decide to cycle the whole way, add at least another 50 km.

As our starting point this time, we'll choose Strakonice railway station (49.2551575N, 13.9163047E), with fast trains to Plzeň departing at 6:53, 8:53, and 10:53. We head to Horažďovice předměstí, a journey of about 15 minutes.

Horažďovice předměstí (49.3313714N, 13.7388486E) is notable for two reasons: it is a railway junction for changing to Klatovy-bound trains, and opposite the station is a house struck by an American bomb at the end of World War II—the shrapnel of that deadly weapon can still be seen in the garden with the owner's permission.

From the station, we turn left onto the railway bridge. Just after, turn left again and follow cycle route 2161 towards Babín, then on local roads and the same route to Svéradice, Slatina, and Chanovice. Along this 13-kilometer stretch, cyclists can visit many interesting places (the synagogue or sundial in Slatina, for example).

Chanovice (49.4048936N, 13.7173572E) then offers not only refreshment, but also the aforementioned château, lookout tower, and open-air museum.

The second part of our journey returns one kilometer along the local road and cycle route 2161 (or 2162) to a junction, where we turn left to Bezděkov (49.4150714N, 13.7406506E), passing Protivský pond and reaching Jámský pond, where we connect with cycle route 1064. We follow this to Hradiště, turning sharply right after the chapel, and stay on route 1064 via Hradiště u Blatné station to Lnáře. At this point, we've covered another 10 km or so.

Lnáře (49.4578983N, 13.7840625E) is definitely worth a stop—not only for more refreshment at the café right in the château, but for the château itself, in particular the so-called 'new' section. Finished in 1686 under Tomáš Zacheus, son of Count Czernin of Chudenitz, the château is surrounded by a 4-hectare romantic English garden built after 1727. Under the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, the château was confiscated and used as a training center for the Hitler Youth. From 1985, the government used the château as a luxury representation and recreation site. It was returned to the descendants of the original owners in 1993, who later opened it to the public. Note the small memorial at the entrance: in Lnáře, Russian general A. A. Vlasov was arrested, having stayed here on May 11, 1945, and was executed here by the Russians as a traitor.

The further route again follows cycle route 1064 for several hundred meters, turning sharply right at the bus stop onto the local road and cycle routes 31 and 1063, which separate the Veský and Zámecký ponds. Shortly after, turn sharply right again, now on cycle route no. 31, and head to Hajany (49.4466647N, 13.8360028E) and then to Blatná (49.4248858N, 13.8817594E), where you arrive right at the railway station. By now, you've ridden just under 35 kilometers and, I hope, gathered a few nice memories. If you're returning to Strakonice by train, you have time to tour Blatná too—the trains depart at 14:22, 16:04, 18:04, 20:04, and 21:54 (not on Saturday). The journey by local train takes about 40 minutes.