The Říčka Valley and Pekárna Cave: the southern karst you can walk to from Brno

The Říčka Valley near Ochoz u Brna is the southernmost karst valley in the Moravian Karst, lying just beyond the edge of Brno. The main attraction is Pekárna Cave, once home to horse and reindeer hunters and the place where engravings of animals were found on horse ribs. It is freely accessible, and according to the Protected Landscape Area (CHKO) administration it is the most important settlement of horse and reindeer hunters in the karst. The Říčka Valley educational trail runs through the valley, a loop of about 4 km (roughly 0.16 €) from the car park at Hádek. Along the way you will see the Říčka spring, the entrance to the Ochoz Cave, which opens only on rare occasions, and the Kaprál Mill (Kaprálův mlýn) with its information centre and refreshments. Above the valley lies the steppe-like Hádecká planinka plateau.

QUICK LINKS 🕳️ Pekárna · 💧 Ochoz Cave and water · 🥾 Routes · 🏠 Kaprál Mill · 🌾 Hádecká planinka · ❓ FAQ

The southern part of the karst gets little attention. There are no show caves with stalactites here, and no cable car. But if you want to see where people lived at the end of the Ice Age, and to stroll through woodland without tickets or reservations, this is the place. And if you live in Brno, you don’t even need a car.

Pekárna Cave

Pekárna is a tunnel-like cave high on the slope above the valley, with an imposing entrance portal. It is a national natural monument, protected since 1933.

Why it is famous: At the end of the Ice Age, in the period known as the Magdalenian, horse and reindeer hunters lived here. Archaeologists found a wealth of stone tools and everyday objects here and, above all, engravings of animals on horse ribs. The best known shows two bison fighting. Pekárna was excavated in 1925–1930 by, among others, Karel Absolon. More recent research suggests that Neanderthals stayed here too, and that, much later, so did people of the Únětice culture of the Bronze Age.

Visiting: The cave is freely accessible and free of charge. From the junction below Pekárna, climb the steps to reach it. You can step in under the portal and peer inside. The finds are now held in collections in Brno.

A short way from here, on the slope above the Říčka, is Švédův stůl (Swede’s Table) Cave, another important site. Remains of a Neanderthal were found there, along with the bones of bears, hyenas and even a porcupine. Below it are the entrances to Malčina Cave.

Ochoz Cave and the vanishing water

The southern karst is drained by three streams: the Říčka, the Ochoz stream and the Hostěnice stream. All of them disappear underground and re-emerge as the Říčka. The Hostěnice stream vanishes at the Hostěnice sinkhole; see Hostěnice.

• Ochoz Cave is the largest cave system in the southern part of the karst. In high water the Hostěnice stream flows through it. Inside there is rich stalactite decoration. It was open to the public from 1966 to 1975, after which it closed because of frequent flooding. Today it opens only on open days, which in recent years have been held in spring. Check the date with the Caves Administration or on the Ochoz village website.
• The Říčka spring. Just under 700 metres from the junction below Pekárna, along the yellow-marked trail, you will see a rocky opening on your right from which water emerges after its journey underground.
• The Hádecká estavelle in the bed of the Říčka is, according to the CHKO administration, the only estavelle in the karst that still functions. Depending on the water level, the Říčka either disappears into it or the underground Hostěnice stream flows out of it. The administration itself adds that this has not yet been reliably proven. For an explanation of what an estavelle is, see the article Karst phenomena of the Moravian Karst.
• Kamenný žlíbek is a dry karst gully, almost a canyon in its lower section.
• Lysá hora above the valley has a fine karren field just below its edge, a stretch of rock furrowed by water.

Routes

Říčka Valley educational trail. It starts at the free car park at Ochoz u Brna – Hádek, where you will find the first information board. The main loop is about 4 km, or up to 7 km with the side trips. Ten boards describe the geology, plants and archaeology. It makes an ideal half-day outing with children.

From Ochoz to Bílovice via Pekárna (11.2 km). The village of Ochoz recommends this route:

1. From the Ochoz municipal office, follow the blue markers past the V Luhu biotope and along the Ochoz stream to the junction below Pekárna.
2. Take the side path up the steps to Pekárna.
3. Follow the yellow markers past the Říčka spring to Kaprál Mill.
4. Continue along the yellow trail through the woods to the Říčky and Spálenisko junction, then on to the U Lidušky lookout tower above Bílovice.
5. Take Ressl’s Path down to Bílovice nad Svitavou and catch the train back to Brno.

The section from the Říčky junction to Ressl’s Path is not suitable for pushchairs.

By bike: The CHKO administration recommends a longer circuit of the southern karst via Říčky, past Ochoz Cave and Hádek to Křtiny and on towards Adamov; see Cycling in the Moravian Karst.

Kaprál Mill

The old mill on the Říčka is now a scout base and environmental education centre. For visitors, the key feature is the tourist information centre with refreshments and souvenirs:

The mill also offers accommodation, but mainly for schools, scout troops and groups.

Hádecká planinka

Above the valley, on the edge of Brno, lies the Hádecká planinka national nature reserve. It protects oak woods and steppe grassland with plants you won’t find elsewhere in the karst, such as red viper’s bugloss (hadinec červený) or the large-flowered pasque flower (koniklec velkokvětý). Most of the flowers bloom in spring and early summer. Stick to the marked paths. The CHKO administration warns that trampled informal trails are damaging the habitat here. For more, see the articles National nature reserves and Flora of the Moravian Karst.

Getting there

• By car to the Ochoz u Brna – Hádek car park, where the educational trail begins.
• By bus from Brno to Ochoz u Brna (IDS JMK integrated transport system), then follow the blue trail.
• By train to Bílovice nad Svitavou, and walk the route above in reverse.

When to visit: The CHKO administration counts the Říčka Valley and Hádecká planinka among the places with the highest concentration of visitors in the karst. It is a favourite day out for people from Brno. If you want some peace and quiet, come on a weekday or early in the morning. You will find more tips in the article The Moravian Karst without the crowds.

FAQ

Is Pekárna Cave open to visitors? Yes, freely and free of charge. You can step in under the portal and look inside.

Can I go into Ochoz Cave? Only on open days, held once a year in spring in recent years. Regular opening ended in 1975 because of flooding.

How long is the Říčka Valley educational trail? The main loop is about 4 km, or up to 7 km with the side trips. It starts at the car park at Hádek near Ochoz.

Is the Říčka Valley suitable for children? Yes, the educational trail is short and children will enjoy Pekárna. A pushchair, however, is not suitable for some sections.

Where can I get refreshments in the Říčka Valley? At the information centre in Kaprál Mill. In July and August it is open daily 12–18 h.

Information verified as of 12. 10. 2026. Sources: AOPK ČR, Rozbory CHKO Moravský kras (2017), ch. 2.4 Hydrology, 2.7 Settlement history, 3.3 Small-scale protected areas and geological sites nos. 68–78; Ochoz u Brna municipality: From Ochoz via Pekárna to Liduška; Ochoz u Brna municipality: Pekárna Cave; Kaprál Mill: Tourist information centre; Turistika.cz: Ochoz Cave; Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Overview of research (Pekárna).

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