Special bike trip to Oslavany to see the miners

Start in Zastávka

The 12-kilometre bike trip starts at the main train station in Brno, from where you will head to the station Zastávka u Brna (line S4, R11). The Zastávka Regional Information Centre is right at the station, so if you're interested in the area, they'll be able to give you insider advice. 

Get on your bike and head to the railway crossing on the 5173 bike path. Yellow signs will lead you past the former Ferdinand mine site to Babice. Stop at the Museum of Industrial Railways just outside the village. Do the local knotty rails look like a version for children? It was on these rails that coal carts used to run. And when mining stopped, enthusiasts and volunteers at the Museum of Industrial Railways restored the track. With due enthusiasm they present heaps of technical pieces from steam locomotives to railway "trucks". (If you take the trip on foot and choose the right date for it, you can take a train from the station in Zastávka along the narrow gauge to Zbýšov.) 

Zbýšov views down to the mines

In Zbýšov, at the end of Havířská Street, you'll have a steep climb up roads where trucks carried rocks from the underground for many years - Of course, unless you're training for an ironman, leave your bikes at the bottom of the hill. The reward for the climb is a royal view of Oslavany and the former site of the Antonín, Jindřich and Jindřich II mines.

Elegant Simson

You are not done in Zbýšov yet - You can see the beautiful Art Nouveau tower of the Simson mine from afar. The mine was one of the oldest in the area. Mining began in the mid-19th century here. The tower is a technical monument and is not usually accessible. It opens for the September Mining Festival and also on some summer weekends in connection to the narrow-gauge railroad ride, so check out their website before your trip. Inside is a tiny museum, which is being continually improved by volunteers from former miners in Zbýšov.

The accessible Kukla and the intricate Permonium

The next stop on your way is the accessible Kukla mine tower. And beware, if you have children with you on the trip, after the eternal "my feet are hurting so much" and "when will we be there", pure excitement will take over - Kukla is part of the Permonium amusement park. It is a paradise for little gnomes and big adults. The biggest above-ground maze in the country and other attractions will keep your muscles and brain threads busy for the whole day, so make sure you reserve enough time for it. (Is the fun too much for you? You can let the offspring go and retreat to the Kavárna ve věži café.) 

Bathing in the castle biotope

End your trip in Oslavany in style. Head along the river upstream to the castle. There is an exhibition of mining and energy, including a life-size model of a mine. At náměstí 13. prosince square in Oslavany, you will see Permon (the gnome), the guardian of Oslavany. Did you come during a nice summer day? Then you must end your journey with a swim in the bathing biotope right in the beautiful castle park!

And how to get back?

You can take the train from Ivančice (+ 5 km) - in Oslavany follow the arrows "cyklostezka" (bike path), it will take you to Ivančice. Or go back past the old brickyard in Zbýšov to the starting point of Zastávka - Look for the bike sign 5173 Zastávka, Zbýšov. About 350 m after Padochov, exit the road past the brick wall of a green-roofed house and continue upwards. An unmarked path will lead you to an old brickyard and then to Zastávka. 

And where to experience a true mining atmosphere? Come eat and drink!

In the Worker's House in Zastávka and in the Miner's House in Zbýšov you will feel something like a mining atmosphere. Both places serve home-cooked meals at friendly prices. Want to taste the hit of former regulars? In the Tatras they sip the local chučorietková (rum with pickled blueberries), here order a "koks". It's rum and a few grains of coffee. You chew them and pour the rum over them. A shot like that will give you energy for the journey ahead! Good quality is also offered by Dobrá chvíle in Neslovice.

Extra tip GO WITH STEAM TO THE MINERS

We'll also throw in a tip for an unusual experience that can only be done once in July and once in August each year - Dates at www.mikroregionkahan.cz.

In Zastávka you will board a steam engine train that will take you to the Museum of Industrial Railways (MPŽ). The entire museum transforms into a mining theme. In addition to seeing cars and locomotives used in mines, you'll see a collection of stones extracted from the local underground. And you'll see men getting ready for a shift, just about to get down into the mine. From there, head to the Simson Mining Tower, which is exclusively open for these days.You will be guided with great enthusiasm by members of the Zbýšov History Society. Afterwards, head to the historic brickyard, which supplied building materials to the local mining colonies. Climb up to the Zbýšov heap and then take the train from MPŽ back to Zastávka.