What to do nearby

The Sázava is the heart of the whole region and the cabin sits right on its bank - just a few metres from the gate to the water. Often called a river of campfires and easygoing paddlers, it is one of the most popular Czech rivers for recreation. The stretch around Vlastějovice is calmer and natural, with forests reaching down to the water and very little development.

From the private dock you can set straight out onto the water, fish, or simply sit and listen to the river. The level changes through the year - higher and faster in spring and after rain, calmer in summer. Always check the current conditions and weather, especially when heading out with children.

In the warm months the Sázava by the cabin is great for a cool-off and a swim. The stretch by the dock is natural - the bed and depth vary with the flow, so do not dive head-first from the dock and enter the water carefully. For children and weaker swimmers we recommend a life jacket and constant supervision.

If you prefer supervised swimming, there are town pools and natural reservoirs within reach - for example in Zruč nad Sázavou. But the river offers something a pool never can: a swim straight from your own garden, with no crowds.

We have a two-person kayak ready for guests, free and included in the price. Just walk down from the garden to the dock and set off to explore the river from the water. The Sázava around Vlastějovice is ideal for an easy paddle - calmer passages alternate with livelier stretches.

The Sázava is among the most-paddled rivers in the country and in season plenty of boats pass by. For a longer descent you can rent boats and arrange transport in the area. Always keep a safe distance from weirs and hazards, and never go out in a thunderstorm, after dark or during high water.

The calmer stretches of the Sázava are also great for a paddleboard. You can launch your own board straight from our dock and go with the current or against it. We do not keep a paddleboard at the cabin, but if you bring one, conditions are ideal - water access straight from the garden.

Mornings bring the calmest water and the quietest river - a perfect time for a ride before the rest of the valley wakes up. Do not forget a life jacket and, in colder months, a wetsuit.

The private dock is a great fishing spot. Depending on the stretch, the Sázava has both trout and coarse sections and you can catch a range of species.

The early morning and evening hours by the water have their charm even for non-anglers - mist over the river, a heron on the far bank and complete calm. That is why the dock is a favourite spot to sit, whether or not the fish are biting.

Marked hiking trails weave through the area around the cabin, leading through forests, along the river and up to viewpoints over the valley. The forest begins behind the fence, so you can set off on a walk straight from the cabin. Shorter loops suit families with children, while longer routes take you to the rocky stretches of the Sázava.

Climbs to viewpoints above the river and walks through the valley between Zruč and Ledeč nad Sázavou are especially rewarding. We recommend good footwear - the terrain is often stony and slippery in wet weather. Trail maps are available on the usual hiking portals.

The Sázava region is a cyclists’ paradise. The Sázava cycle trail and a network of marked routes run through the valley, linking villages, towns and attractions. From the cabin you can ride along the river to the landmarks of Zruč or Ledeč, or head up into the hills for the views.

Routes range in difficulty - from easy riding on surfaced sections to hilly loops for the fitter. Cycling is a great way to see more of the area in a day without getting in the car.

The forests around the cabin are rewarding for mushrooms in season. The woods begin behind the fence, so you do not have to drive anywhere to pick - just grab a basket and set off first thing in the morning. Boletes, orange-cap boletes, slippery jacks and chanterelles all grow here, depending on the weather and season.

Mushroom picking here is a pleasant ritual - morning mist, forest silence and the joy of a find. Pick only mushrooms you know for certain, and treat the forest with respect. The best time is usually a few days after heavier rain.

The Sázava valley is scenically varied - rocky bluffs, river meanders, deep forests and protected areas. Nearby you will find nature reserves, geologically interesting sites and old forges and mills, reminders that the river has always powered life in the valley.

The best-known natural gem within reach is Stvořidla, to which we devote a separate section. But the smaller, lesser-known spots you stumble upon while walking are worth attention too - often they leave the strongest impression.

Stvořidla is one of the most beautiful stretches of the entire Sázava - a wild, rocky channel full of boulders and rapids between Ledeč nad Sázavou and Světlá nad Sázavou. The area is protected as a nature reserve and, for its rugged beauty, has long been a favourite of tramps and filmmakers.

A walk along the river through Stvořidla is one of the finest trips in the area - combining forest, rock and rushing water. For experienced paddlers it is an adrenaline stretch; for walkers, gorgeous scenery. From the cabin you reach it by car or bike heading towards Ledeč.

Zruč nad Sázavou (~10 km) is the nearest larger town and a natural base for shopping and a day out. Its landmark is a château with an extensive park above the river, home to exhibitions, a lookout tower and pleasant walks. The town has shops, restaurants, a swimming pool and other services.

The château park is a rewarding destination for families - playgrounds, animals and plenty of room to run around. Zruč is also a good starting point for cycling trips along the Sázava.

Ledeč nad Sázavou (~15 km) draws visitors with a medieval castle towering above the river, a historic square and picturesque lanes. The castle is among the oldest in the region and offers views over the Sázava valley. Ledeč is also the gateway to Stvořidla.

A stroll through the historic centre and a stop for coffee or lunch pair well with a trip to the river. The drive from the cabin to Ledeč is scenic in itself - it follows the valley along the Sázava.

The château in Světlá nad Sázavou (~25 km) lies upstream on the Sázava, just beyond Stvořidla. Originally a Gothic fort, it was rebuilt into a Renaissance château by the Trčka of Lípa family in the 16th century and later gained Baroque and Neo-Gothic features. It is surrounded by a park with water features and sculptural decoration.

Today the château houses a Museum of Historic Glass - Světlá is a traditional glassmaking region - and exhibitions of period furniture. The trip pairs well with a visit to Stvořidla or Ledeč nad Sázavou.

Český Šternberk Castle (~25 km) is one of the most important Gothic castles in the country. It rises on a rocky spur directly above the Sázava and is striking even from afar. Guided tours take you through period interiors and tell the story of a single family that has held the castle for centuries.

The trip can be combined with a drive through the Sázava valley and a stop by the river. For history lovers, Český Šternberk is one of the finest destinations in the whole area.

Kácov Château (~30 km) stands above the Sázava downstream towards Prague. Originally a 14th-century Gothic castle, it was rebuilt into a Baroque château with an austere, elegant look by the Trauttmansdorff family in the 18th century, surrounded by a large wooded park.

The site is now home to the regional Kácov brewery and a brewing museum - so a tour comes with a tasting. You can reach Kácov by car or by the romantic railway known as the Posázavský pacifik.

The legendary hill of Blaník (~20 km) is wrapped in the tale of the Blaník knights, who are said to sleep inside and will ride out to the country’s aid in its darkest hour. A pleasant forest path leads to the summit, crowned by a lookout tower with views over the region. It is a trip suitable for children too.

A nature trail around Blaník connects the landscape with its legends. The climb is not demanding, and the reward is both the panorama and the mythical atmosphere of the place.

Kutná Hora (~33 km) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most valuable historic towns in the country. The Church of St Barbara, the Sedlec ossuary decorated with human bones, the Italian Court and winding medieval lanes are all unmissable. It is an ideal destination for a full day of history.

The town grew rich on silver in the Middle Ages and once rivalled Prague in importance. Even today it breathes history at every turn and offers plenty of cafés and restaurants for a break between the sights.

The Bohdanka lookout tower near the village of Bohdaneč in the Kutná Hora area is a unique wooden tower from 2011 and, at 52 metres, one of the tallest of its kind in Europe. There are 216 steps up to the upper viewing platform.

The reward for the climb is a wide panoramic view over the Sázava and Kutná Hora regions. Combine it with the nature trails that lead around the tower, or with a visit to nearby Kutná Hora.

Vlašim, with its château and sprawling English park, makes a pleasant half-day trip. The château park is among the oldest landscape parks in the country - the Blanice River runs through it, paths lead to romantic follies, and there is also a wildlife rescue station and a "paraZOO".

The park is good for walks with children and prams and pairs well with a trip to nearby Blaník. It is a tip for a day when you want to combine nature with a little learning.

The Vodní dům ("Water House") in Hulice (~25 km) is a modern visitor centre by the Švihov reservoir on the Želivka - the largest drinking-water reservoir in the country, which also supplies Prague. Its interactive exhibition playfully explains the importance of water for nature and people.

Inside there is an underwater world with aquariums, a microworld under the microscope and a journey through the region's history; outside in the atrium children can play with water games. At Vodní dům you can also book a guided tour of the Švihov dam. An ideal trip in any weather, especially with children.

The nearest option is a short walk to the Staré časy campsite with a pub, where you can have a beer and a bite in a relaxed riverside atmosphere. Across the river is Hombre Saloon - a popular waterside spot with a Western feel, reachable by kayak or ferry. Not far from the cabin, Hospůdka u Petra is also worth a stop - a pleasant local pub for food and drinks.

A wider choice of restaurants is in Zruč and Ledeč nad Sázavou. In season we recommend booking a table at popular places in advance. Basic groceries are available at the Coop in Hněvkovice, larger shopping in the towns.

For good coffee and cake, head to the cafés in Zruč or Ledeč nad Sázavou, which make a great stop on a stroll through town. In Kutná Hora you will find cafés set in historic houses, perfect for a break between the sights.

The best coffee, though, is often the one you make right at the cabin - with the capsule machine on the terrace overlooking the river. A morning cup under the pergola is hard to beat.

Families with children will appreciate the cabin itself - a fenced garden with a swing, a slide and a paddling pool, and safe play. For a day out, the château park in Zruč with playgrounds and animals, the interactive Vodní dům by the Švihov reservoir, the "paraZOO" in Vlašim, or the easy climb up Blaník to the lookout tower are all great.

Younger children love a kayak ride (with a life jacket and an adult), toasting sausages over the fire pit and mushroom picking in the forest right behind the fence. Near the river and dock, however, constant supervision is always required.

On a sunny day the programme belongs to water and nature - kayaking, swimming, the dock, a bike ride along the Sázava or a hike to Stvořidla. Warm summer evenings are made for the fire pit and the garden grill.

When it rains, it pays to head under a roof - to Kutná Hora for the landmarks, to tour Český Šternberk Castle or the Zruč château, or to the interactive Vodní dům by the Švihov reservoir. And if you would rather stay in, the fireplace, a TV with OnePlay, a PlayStation and board games are waiting indoors.

For a weekend we recommend not rushing. Arrive on Friday, light the fireplace and enjoy the first evening on the terrace by the river. Devote Saturday to whatever you fancy - the water and the kayak, a trip to a castle or to Kutná Hora, or mushroom picking and a forest walk.

On Sunday, treat yourself to a quiet morning with coffee under the pergola and a last walk to the water before heading home. Our Friday–Sunday weekend comes at a favourable flat rate - an ideal two-day escape from the city.