Skrdlovice: Glassmaking, Village History and Cross-Country Skiing

Skrdlovice is located in the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area. When planning a stay, the main options are glassmaking, village history and outdoor activities. At the small U Hrocha glassworks, you can learn about hand-shaped glass made in a furnace; in the village, a walking trail passes the Chapel of Saints Cyril and Methodius. For cross-country skiing, there is the Škrdlovický okruh; a 35-kilometre cycling tour also starts in Skrdlovice and follows in the footsteps of former glassmakers. This allows you to tailor your stay to your preferred interests.

Watch and Try Your Hand at Glassmaking

The small U Hrocha glassworks in Skrdlovice caters to glass tourism. Under the direction of glass master Oldřich Šimpach, guided demonstrations explain how hand-shaped glass products are made in a furnace. You can learn about working with the material and the production process. If you would rather try it yourself, you can make your own glass product under the guidance of a glass master; advance booking is required. The demonstration and hands-on experience are two different ways to visit: here you watch the process being explained, while there you work with the glass yourself. Access to the glassworks is seasonal, so plan your visit in advance.

Former Glassworks and Village Trail

The former glassworks in Skrdlovice was founded by Emanuel Beránek in 1940; it ceased production in 2008. A walking trail passes through Skrdlovice, crossing the village square and going by the Chapel of Saints Cyril and Methodius. In front of the chapel are statues of these two saints and a statue of Saint Wenceslas; they were unveiled in 2015. The village square and chapel are clear landmarks for a walk through Skrdlovice; all three statues stand directly in front of the chapel. You can include the chapel square as a stop on a walk through the village.

Cross-Country Skiing and Cycling

The Škrdlovický okruh is an easy, nine-kilometre cross-country ski trail around Skrdlovice. The loop starts on the edge of the village, near the turn-off to the holiday cottage area at Velké Dářko. The trail is groomed for both skating and classic cross-country skiing. When planning, keep three details in mind: its nine-kilometre length, easy difficulty level and the two prepared skiing styles. Snow and grooming are seasonal, so check both before setting off.

If you would rather plan a cycling trip than go cross-country skiing, you can choose the Škrdlovická trasa za skláři. The route starts in Skrdlovice, is 35 kilometres long and follows in the footsteps of former glassmakers. The Škrdlovický okruh and the cycling route offer two different activities and distances: nine kilometres on the ski trail and 35 kilometres by bike. Route details may change, so check the route before your ride. The preparations differ: for cross-country skiing, check the snow and grooming; for cycling, check the route.

Discover more destinations: Zadní Zhořec, Sulkovec, Chlum-Korouhvice, Velká Bíteš, Bohuňov, Bohdalov, Dolní Libochová, Hodíškov

Return to the regional travel overview: Žďár nad Sázavou District.