Chlum: Gold History, Farmstead and Scenic Routes

Chlum combines a gently sloping landscape with rural architecture and visible traces of gold mining. The village lies on the southern slope of a gentle hill and is partly surrounded by forests. This brings together several travel experiences: paths lead through the village, to Bronze Age burial mounds and onwards to Blatná along a red cycling route. In good visibility, the distant peaks of the Šumava Mountains can also be seen. Chlum is therefore well suited to days combining nature observation, cultural history and physical activity.

Landscape and orientation in Chlum

The southern slope gives the village a clear topographical setting, while the partly wooded surroundings add to the character of the landscape. Bus services to Blatná and the surrounding municipalities provide connections for arriving and travelling to other places. This is particularly useful when planning different types of day trips: accommodation in Chlum can serve as a base for exploring the village, while Blatná and the surrounding municipalities can be included in your plans by bus. This means that the choice of where to stay can be considered not only in terms of the landscape, but also the available connections.

Gold mining along the Závišinský stream

A notable attraction is the “Rýžoviště zlata” gold panning area near Chlum. Remains of surface gold mining have been preserved on the right bank of the Závišinský stream. A band of tailings heaps, pits and trenches runs through the terrain. Tailings heaps, pits and trenches shape the terrain on the right bank of the Závišinský stream. Rather than simply passing through a wooded or open landscape, visitors encounter terrain where former use remains connected with natural features.

Farmstead No. 6

Chlum’s rural architecture includes Farmstead No. 6. It comprises a residential building. Decorative gables are located above the residential building, the entrance and the granary. It is precisely the combination of these structural elements that makes the farmstead a distinctive detail on a tour of the village. It adds another perspective on Chlum to the history of gold mining: here, the focus is not on the use of the land, but on the design of an agricultural property.

Cycling route, views and Bronze Age burial mounds

For a cycling trip, the red cycling route No. 1 provides a clearly defined connection. It runs from Blatná via Chlum and back to Blatná, thereby linking the village with a starting point outside Chlum. Another route leads through Chlum onwards to Bronze Age burial mounds on Hora Hill. These two options have different focuses: the red cycling route describes a connection via Chlum and back to Blatná, while the route to Hora Hill includes an archaeological destination. In good visibility, the route offers views of the distant peaks of the Šumava Mountains. This makes it possible to combine cycling, landscape and a cultural-history detour when planning a day trip.

Other places in this selection

If you would like to explore other destinations from the same selection in addition to Chlum, you will find Pivkovice, Mečichov, Bělčice, Měkynec, Chelčice, Chobot, Nišovice and Radomyšl here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Strakonice District.