Spělkov between the Svratka, forest and history

In Spělkov, a distinctive location on the Svratka, hilly woodland and meadows, and traces of history come together. You can explore the area from several perspectives: through its landscape and history, as well as by taking one of two trails with very different lengths. These differences can help you plan how much time to allow for your trip; you can also take the available bus connections into account. Check the timetables before setting out to make sure the connection suits your travel date.

Landscape and location

At Spělkov, the Svratka forms the border between Bohemia and Moravia. Spělkov lies in hilly terrain at an altitude of 610 m; its cadastral area is predominantly forested, with meadows interspersed. The entire area of Spělkov lies within the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area. In addition, the European Site of Community Importance “Údolí Svratky u Krásného” includes the cadastral area of Spělkov and is part of the same protected landscape area. Access conditions during visits may vary depending on nature conservation regulations.

Nearby is the 813 m-high Buchtův kopec, which offers a beautiful view. It provides a nearby high point from which to take in the landscape, while the information about forests, meadows and hilly terrain describes the character of the cadastral area.

Historical traces in Spělkov

Spělkov’s origins date back to the 13th century; the earliest known mention is from 1392. These details refer to different historical aspects: the origins place the beginnings of the settlement in time, while 1392 identifies the earliest known mention. According to the oldest known account, the settlement was founded on the lands of Pernštejn Castle.

Another specific detail of local history can be found in the Protestant cemetery: a bell tower stands among old, protected linden trees. Here, a structure and an old, protected stand of trees come together in a small area. The bell tower among the old, protected linden trees thus gives the history of Spělkov a tangible connection to the place, without conflating the different historical references into a single narrative.

Compare trails by length and type

The “Stromová stezka Zpívající lípy” circular trail connects 11 tree stations and is about 20 km long. On foot, it takes approximately six hours to complete. The combination of distance, number of stations and walking time helps you plan this circular route as a longer day trip.

The “Za roubenkami údolím Svratky” trail is shorter, at 9 km. It starts in Spělkov’s village square and follows a red-marked cycle route. Compared with the approximately 20 km tree trail, it is considerably shorter. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by their length and the type of route described: the approximate six-hour walking time applies to the circular trail with the tree stations, not to the cycle route.

Getting there by bus

Spělkov is connected by bus with Polička on the Bohemian side, as well as with Nové Město na Moravě and Žďár nad Sázavou on the Moravian side. Spělkov is also accessible by bus for the Via Czechia trail. The connections mentioned serve destinations on both sides of the Bohemian-Moravian border. Check the current timetable before departure, especially if you plan to combine a bus journey with one of the trails.

Discover more destinations: Blažkov, Křižanov, Vlkov, Brezi Nad Oslavou, Štěpánov Nad Svratkou, Ruda, Milasín, Dolní Heřmanice.

For the broader travel overview: Žďár nad Sázavou District.