Jihlava District: Nature Trails, Museums and Special Experiences

Jihlava District offers nature experiences, regional history and unusual places to learn, catering to a range of travel interests. The character of the landscape is especially vivid along its educational and hiking trails; museums each focus on different subjects, from bygone industries to local history. If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to first prioritize the visits that matter to you and compare the locations of the attractions with your plans.

Nature and trails

The Čeřínek Nature Park was established to preserve a wooded landscape, distinctive geological formations and rare plant and animal species. The Čeřínek Educational Trail brings this into focus on a 6.5-kilometre loop with 14 stops, highlighting local natural conditions and geomorphology. The stops and formations described include Skalní mísy, Mrazové sruby, Žlábkové škrapy and the Přední skála Natural Monument. The rocky outcrop there offers views across the park. Another natural highlight is the Zaječí skok Nature Reserve, where a rare fern grows.

The Pojmannova Trail is also described as a 6.5-kilometre loop. It runs from Polná to the Kukle pond and back, and is marked with yellow trail blazes. At Kukle pond, the trail passes through the woods and continues through the Obecní forest. There are places to rest, including in Doubravník; covered seating is available on the dam at Kukle pond. The two loop trails are the same length but offer different points of interest: Čeřínek focuses on geomorphology and its 14 stops, while the Polná route features Kukle pond and stretches through the forest.

For a bike ride, consider the 10-kilometre Městem s ježkem – modrá loop, which is suitable for children. It follows the Jihlava River to the Český mlýn sports and recreation centre. The options described here therefore also differ by activity: a themed walking loop or a marked cycling route along the river.

Museums and regional history

The museum in Třešť explores the area’s vanished industries and explains the importance of the Schumpeter family to the town. The nativity scenes on display include works made from paper and wood; miniature figures and figures with heads made of bread dough are also on view. A seasonal addition is the Betlémská cesta in Třešť, where family nativity scenes are open during the winter months.

At the Vysočina Museum in Jihlava, the permanent exhibition “Jihlava – město střední Evropy” traces the story from the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution. The museum in Telč has a long-term exhibition, “Křehká krása rašelinišť,” divided into three sections. At the Stříbrný dům, you can explore the interior on a guided tour, which introduces equipment from a royal mint found in the courtyard during renovation work. Tour arrangements may change, so it is advisable to check before your visit.

Jihlava’s brewing history also has historical facets: beers once brewed there included Märzen, old-style beer and Grandbier. A look at this tradition adds a topic from local history to the museum visits.

Experiences for different interests

At Jihlava Zoo, the PodpoVRCH environmental centre offers educational programmes about animals, nature and ecology. It is also used by interest groups and for seminars, lectures and public events. A striking feature is the descending spiral corridor with built-in aquariums and terrariums. The two classrooms are designed to resemble a boat and a cave.

At Roštejn Castle, the seven-sided tower offers views of the surrounding countryside. A visit can also include a forest walk and a small geo-exhibition near the entrance to the Roštejnská obora game preserve.

At Vodní Ráj, the outdoor facilities vary by season: in summer, there are outdoor pools and children’s splash pools; attractions include an 85-metre slide, a water castle, a wild water river and aquazorbing. The indoor facilities are available year-round and include a 108-metre slide, a wild water river, a whirlpool, massage jets, waterfalls, a sauna and a steam bath. The key difference is that the outdoor pools are seasonal, while the indoor area is available all year.

Practical information

The “Historical Underground” tour of the Jihlavské podzemí takes 30 to 40 minutes and starts at the ticket office at Hluboká 1 in Jihlava. Important for planning: the guided tours are not wheelchair accessible. By contrast, the Vysočina Museum in Jihlava offers step-free access to its first floor. This information helps you assess the two visits based on their specific conditions.

The destinations range from seasonal nativity scenes and summer pools to year-round indoor facilities, museums and themed trails.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Jihlava, Trest, Panenska Rozsicka, Dolni Smrcne, Telc, Brtnice, Nová Ríse, Kamenice, Pavlov, Batelov, Knínice, Dlouhá Brtnice, Dobronín, Dolní Cerekev, Dudín, Dušejov, Hojkov, Horní Dubenky, Hybrálec, Jamné, Mirošov, Jersín, Kostelec, Kozlov, Krasonice, Luka Nad Jihlavou, Malý Beranov, Měšín, Mrákotín U Telče, Polná, Puklice, Rančířov, Rohozná U Jihlavy, Rozseč, Kněžice, Stará Říše, Stonařov, Urbanov, Velký Beranov, Vílanec, Větrný Jeníkov, Vyskytná Nad Jihlavou, Zhor U Jihlavy, Arnolec, Suchá, Bílý Kámen, Bítovčice, Bohuslavice, Borovná, Boršov, Ústí U Humpolce, Brtnička, Brzkov, Kaliště U Horních Dubenek, Cejle, Cerekvička, Hostětice, Černíč, Čížov, Dobroutov, Dyjice, Doupě, Dvorce, Hladov, Hodice, Horní Myslová, Hrutov, Hubenov, Jezdovice, Ježená, Jihlávka, Kalhov, Klatovec, Kostelní Myslová, Krahulčí, Milíčov, Mysletice, Mysliboř, Nadějov, Nevcehle, Olšany, Panské Dubenky, Plandry, Rantířov, Růžená, Rybné, Řásná, Řídelov, Sedlatice, Sedlejov, Smrčná, Stáj, Strachoňovice, Svojkovice, Šimanov, Švábov, Třeštice, Vanov, Vanůvek, Vápovice, Věžnička, Volevčice, Vysoké Studnice, Vystrčenovice, Záborná, Zadní Vydří, Zbilidy, Zbinohy, Zdeňkov, Zvolenovice, Žatec Na Moravě, Ždírec, Hrbov, Opatov, Střítež, Kamenná and Jihlavy.

For the broader travel overview: Iglau.