Sklené – Natural Landscapes and Cross-Country Skiing in the Žďárské vrchy

Sklené combines a protected landscape with unusual natural and cultural traces. The village lies in the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area and, at the same time, in the highest part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. This makes it a destination where the landscape is more than just a backdrop: the European watershed between the Elbe and Danube runs near Sklené, giving the surrounding area a distinctive geographical dimension.

Protected Nature Around Sklené

An important natural area is the Olšina u Skleného Nature Reserve. It protects several characteristic habitats: floodplain forest ecosystems, meadows and pastures, Nardus grasslands, as well as poor fens and transitional mires. This combination makes the area particularly interesting for travellers who want to discover different types of landscape within a small area. Those who value a natural setting when choosing accommodation will find Sklené to be a clearly defined starting point for planning the rest of their own trip – without reducing the village to a single type of holiday.

Water also has a specific source in Sklené. The Lemperský Stream rises at a spring in the village. Together with its location on the watershed, this creates a direct connection to the natural structures of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The landscape can therefore be understood not only through its views or leisure activities, but also through its waterways and protected habitats.

Cross-Country Skiing with Different Trail Characteristics

Near Sklené, cross-country ski trails lead towards Světnov, Škrdlovice, and Velké Dářko. This opens up several directions for active days in the snow. One important special feature concerns the connection between Sklené and Tři Studně: because it passes through a forest section, it is usually groomed only for classic cross-country skiing. If you choose your accommodation according to the winter experience you are looking for, this difference is relevant to your personal planning, as this connection cannot be equated with just any cross-country skiing style.

Local History and Visible Reminders

The first written mention of Sklené dates from 1407. The name of the village is interpreted as indicating that a settlement of glassmakers was established near the former Bratroňovice farmstead. This tradition gives the present-day village a historical story that goes beyond a mere description of the landscape. Another specific historical testimony is the stone cross below the chapel in Sklené, which bears the year 1832. The village also includes a fire station – a plain but characteristic detail of contemporary community life.

Sklené is therefore particularly suitable for a trip that combines nature observation, regional history, and cross-country skiing. Depending on whether you focus on the protected landscapes, local history, or the ski trails, you can give your stay a different emphasis. For further orientation within the same destination area, you can also find Bohuňov, Bobrůvka, Dvořiště, Horní Rožínka, Ubušínek, Zubří, Radostín and Jimramov.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.