Two Winter Days to Blaník

A 50 km two-day winter traverse of the Podblanicko from Vlašim to Kondrac, past the Kalamajka lookout, with a night at Růžkovy Lhotice and a finish under Blaník.

Podblanicko is the country I grew up in, but as a local I never walked it like this, two winter days straight across from Vlašim in the middle to the village under Blaník. It is farm country with low wooded hills, orchards and lanes between hamlets. That is why it works in winter. The going stays easy, and under snow the whole landscape goes quiet.

Day 1: Vlašim to Růžkovy Lhotice

The route leaves Vlašim south along the Blanice and climbs slowly out of the valley into the open country around Zdislavice.

Javornická hůra with the Kalamajka tower is the first goal, at km 14. The tower was brand new when we passed, and it needs a little planning. The top cabin is locked, and you borrow a key. From the hill the route turns southeast through the fields towards Čechtice and ends the day at Růžkovy Lhotice, the hamlet around Smetana’s childhood chateau. We slept in a cottage here. Wherever you sleep, this is the natural overnight point. It splits the route into 28 + 22 km.

Day 2: over the tops to Kondrac

The second day goes back west along the higher ground. The wooded tops of Jizbický kopec and Zhoř pass by without views, and the route comes to Načeradec. Its 12th-century church tower is the landmark of the whole middle stretch, and the square is the only chance for food and drink on this day. From there the lanes head north through Křížov, straight towards Blaník. The hill with its lookout tower stands ahead across the fields for the whole last hour. The route goes around its eastern foot and down into Kondrac, where the pub and the bus stop end the trip.