From Dolní Kounice to the raft in Cvrčovice

Along the river to Dolní Kounice

You will start from Moravské Bránice, a quiet village with less than a thousand inhabitants, you can be reach it in half an hour by train from Brno. Just above the railway station you can see the first vineyards and then you can go straight down the road to the village and continue on to the Jihlava river. Along its right bank, bike route no. 403 will lead you to the picturesque Dolní Kounice with a charm worthy of Vančura's Whimsical Summer.

Wine-historical stop in Dolní Kounice

If you have not been on a trip to Dolní Kounice yet, you will probably just shake your head in puzzlement the whole time, wondering how you could have missed such a gem. So many historical monuments in one place!

Where to go first? Visitors' first steps usually lead directly to the iconic ruins of the former Rosa Coeli women's convent. The cool stone walls have the captivating charm of yesteryear. A slight complication is the fact that it is forbidden to enter with a bicycle, but this can be solved with a good quality lock. It's definitely worth the romantic photos and wandering around the charismatic ruins. The site is only open during opening hours, so better check in beforehand on the website.

The convent is overlooked from above by the Dolní Kounice fort and castle. You might catch a guided tour, or one of the hilarious weekend events such as the wine tasting or various castle festivals offering local produce.

And we're not done yet! On the west side of Dolní Kounice square stands one of the most beautiful and well-preserved synagogues in the Czech Republic. A protected cultural monument dating back to 1645, it now serves cultural and social purposes, and although it looks rather unostentatious from the outside, the interior is breathtaking thanks to the preserved Hebrew wall inscriptions.

Also, don't forget the famous local Blaufränkisch from Dolní Kounice. You can taste it in the U Dvořáků wine cellar, where they also run a small pastry shop.

Useful tip: If you time your trip right, you might even catch the famous event Za kounickou frankovkou (The journey of Blaufränkisch from Dolní Kounice) where you can taste not only the Blaufränkisch variety but also other great local wines at twenty stations and cellars. But you'd better do it without a bike!

Back in the saddle! When exactly?

Now you can get back on the bike and cross the bridge back to the bike path on the left bank of the river. The narrow valley just beyond the village of Pravlov opens up into the Niva Jihlavy natural park, which is why you are here. The slopes are lined with rows of vineyards, the river has a free range and creates natural wild meanders in the landscape with islands of typical floodplain forest and two escaping systems of porous lakes with riparian vegetation.

In these parts, each season has a different atmosphere. In spring, the thermophilous acacia trees, among others, turn green whether as solitaire trees providing shade to the wayside shrine or as acacia groves. In June, especially around St. John's Day, their intoxicating scent spreads into the surroundings and fireflies swirl in the damp undergrowth of the floodplain forests. In the evening twilight, you might see a massive stag beetle or a chockchafer flying around. Hot summers call for a dip in the water, which you will encounter at every turn along the trail. In September and October, many villages hold famous feast festivals, which is why Indian summer is one of the best times to visit.

Still along the water

You will pass through the small wine-growing village of Němčičky with the Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and then the road will lead you back to the main stream of the Jihlava river. As you cross the river, you will notice the bridge, unusual in the Czech Republic today, with a roadway made of wooden beams.

Between the fields you will reach a water reservoir on the Potůček river. You will pass through Malešovice and from the Husinec pond you will find an approximately one-kilometre stretch of bike path following the revitalised stream. At first glance, you will be surprised by the well-kept banks and their surroundings, children's climbing frames and several opportunities to stop for a snack.

Cvrčovice raft and Bistro Barbucha as bonuses at the end

You'll weave through the streets of Odrovice to the main road and it's only two kilometres to Cvrčovice. Turn left behind the church and you will return to the river. The Jihlava reiver flows lazily here until it stops completely. The sound of falling water beckons you from afar, and it means nothing else than that we are at the finish line! The famous Cvrčovice raft is just a stone's throw away.

On hot days, the raft will feel like an oasis. The sandbanks below the raft invite you to sunbathe and wade through the shallow water - It is a paradise not only for children. The refreshment stand offers ice cream and the adjacent campsite offers the opportunity to stay here with a tent or caravan for several days. You won't want to leave.

Fortunately, only the few final kilometres to Pohořelice are left. If you want to discover more interesting places, turn at the Old Town Hall into the town park with water tanks and huge trees. Tired cyclists will head straight to the Pohořelice train station to catch the train to Brno. That is, with one, last stop, at the famous Bistro Barbucha with a selection of coffee, local wine and homemade delicacies.