Geopark Vysočina
The Land of Stonecutters and Rock Giants
Geopark Vysočina, which stretches across the area of Javořická vrchovina in the Kraj Vysočina region, is one of the national geoparks of the Czech Republic. This territory with an area of approximately 180 km² is located north and west of the town of Telč and extends up to the highest point of Českomoravská vrchovina, the peak of Javořice (837 m a. s. l.). The geopark was proclaimed with the aim of presenting the unique geological heritage of the region, which is inextricably linked with a rich stonecutting tradition.
The rocks of the geopark tell a story about the massive Hercynian orogeny from 340 million years ago (Carboniferous), when extensive mountain ranges were formed here. Today's landscape is formed primarily by a deep-seated intrusive rock, granite of the Moldanubian pluton, which has been gradually exposed by erosion. Notable geomorphological features that were created by frost weathering during the ice age, such as rock towers, frost-riven cliffs, and extensive stone seas, are also part of the geopark.
How to Get There
Starting points for exploring the geopark are notably the historical town of Telč (inscribed on the UNESCO list) or the market town of Mrákotín. Telč is accessible by both train and bus and offers accommodation and parking options. It is also possible to arrive in Mrákotín, which is the centre of the stonecutting tradition, by bus or car. A network of marked tourist trails leads into the geopark from these places.
What You Can Discover in the Surroundings
The heart and symbol of Geopark Vysočina is the granite rock formation Míchova skála near the village of Řásná, which offers magnificent views of Javořická vrchovina. Significant localities also include the Štamberk nature reserve and the stone sea with a boulder slope and the ruins of Štamberk Castle. In Mrákotín, visitors can visit the Museum of Stonecutting and Underground, which documents the extraction and processing of Mrákotín granite, known throughout the republic (for example, the monolith at Prague Castle comes precisely from Mrákotín). Right in Telč, visitors can explore the Telč Underground and the historical centre. The geopark is crisscrossed by educational trails (for example, the "Geologická stezka") and cycle routes that lead visitors to abandoned flooded quarries, ponds, and peat bogs.
