Dolní Hořice: Pacova hora, Cave and Hartvíkov

Dolní Hořice offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: the quarry and lime kiln history at Pacova hora, a nature trail with a viewpoint, and nature and cultural attractions in Hartvíkov. On clear days, you can see the Bohemian Forest and even the Alps from Dolní Hořice. Whether this distant view is possible depends on the weather.

Pacova hora: rock formations and lime kiln history

Pacova hora lies within the cadastral area of Dolní Hořice. A large quarry is located on its southern slope. Alternating layers of fine-grained to dense white dolomitic limestone and amphibolite are visible there. The succession of these rock types makes the quarry a tangible geological feature of the area; the description covers both the characteristics of the dolomitic limestone and the layers lying side by side.

Pacova hora is also associated with a historic milestone in lime burning: in 1848, the first proper lime kiln was built there by the princely authorities. The rock and industrial history offer two different perspectives on the same mountain. The quarry represents the geological layers, while the lime kiln represents the early history of lime burning at Pacova hora.

Nature trail, viewpoint and cave

The Chýnov Nature Trail ends at a viewpoint overlooking the quarry at Pacova hora, above Chýnov Cave in Dolní Hořice. The cave itself is another notable feature: it is the oldest cave opened to the public and also one of the largest caves in the Czech Republic. The viewpoint and the cave are separate points of interest; the nature trail ends at the viewpoint overlooking the quarry.

Another route is called “Across the Mountains and Beneath Them – from Tábor to Chýnov Cave.” This route heads towards Dolní Hořice and Mašovice. The distinction is useful for planning: the nature trail ends at the aforementioned viewpoint, while the other route follows a direction through several named places. As trail conditions can change, check the route’s current condition before setting out.

Hartvíkov and Pořín

The village of Hartvíkov, part of the municipality of Dolní Hořice, lies in Polánka Nature Park, amid the wooded landscape of the Křemešník Highlands. The Neo-Romanesque Church of Saints Peter and Paul, dating from 1886–1887, stands there. The nature park and the church represent two distinct themes in Hartvíkov: the wooded landscape on the one hand and architectural history on the other. The dates place the church’s construction in the second half of the 19th century.

Anyone interested in crafts can visit the pottery workshop in Pořín. If you would like to include a visit in your plans, arrange it before you arrive. This lets you add a craft-related activity to your trip without conflating it with the landscape and history attractions at Pacova hora and in Hartvíkov.

Choose a hotel to suit your travel interests

When looking for a hotel in Dolní Hořice, you can use your trip’s themes as a starting point: the rock formations and lime kiln history point to Pacova hora, the nature trail leads to its viewpoint overlooking the quarry, and Hartvíkov is home to nature and architectural history. Anyone particularly interested in crafts can also include the pottery workshop in Pořín and arrange a visit in advance. These different places and themes can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Discover more destinations: Radenín, Pohnání, Sudoměřice U Bechyně, Lejčkov, Nová Ves U Mladé Vožice, Zlukov, Košín, Třebějice.

For the wider travel overview: Tábor District.