The Celtic Trail through the Iron Mountains will take you through sites of ancient Celtic settlements in the vicinity of Hradiště and Nasavrky. It winds through the beautiful natural landscape of the Iron Mountains, particularly along the valley of the Chrudimka River and the Debrný and Krkanka (Hradišťský) streams.

The Celtic Trail and the educational loop at the oppidum were made possible thanks to financial support from the Pardubice Region, the town of Nasavrky, and the village of České Lhotice.

Route

From Nasavrky to Hradiště

The nature trail begins in Nasavrky in front of the castle. From there, the route follows the blue hiking trail to the Kaštanka natural monument and continues along Strádovská Street to the edge of the forest. It then passes through the Peklo campsite in the Chrudimka River valley. Before the climb up to the hamlet of Hradiště, you’ll see the highest waterfall in the Iron Mountains. We continue on to Hradiště and the ruins of the local oppidum.

Educational Trail Through the Oppidum

An educational trail with six stops will guide you through the oppidum. Thanks to these stops, you’ll get a sense of what the Celtic settlement looked like more than two thousand years ago. Above the Křižanovice Dam, there is a newly created stone circle with a menhir, where you can recharge your energy.

To the Lookout Tower and Nasavrky

From Hradiště, the trail returns to Nasavrky. Along the way, you can visit the Boiika observation tower, which is open year-round. A panoramic map of the view is installed at the tower.

The observation tower has its own tourist stamp, which can be purchased at the Nasavrky Information Center. From the observation tower, the trail continues to the stone circle behind the Nasavrky cemetery and ends at the local town square.

Educational Trail Leading to the Oppidum

0. Presentation of Celtic Heritage
1. Who Were the Celts?
2. A Brief Overview of the History of Archaeology in Eastern Bohemia
3. Archaeology and Its Methods
4. Prehistoric Settlements in Eastern Bohemia
5. La Tène Settlements in the Chrudim Region
6. The Celts and Their Livelihoods
7. Long-Distance Contacts and Travel
8. How the Celts Lived
9. Map Panel
10. Celtic Art
11. The Celts and Mineral Resources
12. Crafts of the La Tène Period
13. The Spiritual World of the Celts

Inner Loop of the Oppidum

The inner loop of the nature trail has been open to the public since the spring of 2010. This loop focuses on the settlement of the oppidum at České Lhotice.
At six stops along the trail, informational panels describe the structures, fortifications, way of life, and religion of the oppidum’s inhabitants.

1. České Lhotice Oppidum
2. Pincer Gate
3. Oppidum Fortifications
4. North Gate and Inner Settlements
5. Acropolis
6. Hallstatt Burial Mounds and Southwest Gate