Hády

Hády is a limestone hill and former quarry straddling the border between Brno and the village of Kanice, and one of the most rewarding viewpoints in the area. Rising to 424 metres, it has long served as Brno's backyard recreation ground, drawing hikers and cyclists year-round, while the TV transmitter tower on its summit acts as a landmark visible from much of the city.

What will you see there?

The heart of Hády is a sprawling, multi-level limestone quarry that was worked almost continuously from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. Four distinct pits remain — Jungle, Old Town, New Town and Růžena quarries — now overgrown and partly filled with water, giving the site a raw, canyon-like character quite different from the surrounding forest. A gentle, roughly two-kilometre educational trail called Hádecké lomy loops through the old workings, with eight information panels explaining the quarrying history and the unusual local ecology.

Hády is also a protected natural area: the sun-baked, dry southern slopes support thermophilic plants and animals rarely found this far north in Europe, and the hill encompasses several small nature reserves, including Hádecká pláň, Velká Klajdovka and Kavky. Families often add a stop at Lamacentrum Hády, a small farm open since 2011 where visitors can feed and get close to llamas and alpacas.

How do you get there?

The easiest approach is by bus lines 201 or 202 (IDS JMK) to the Velká Klajdovka stop; drivers will find parking just above the Velká Klajdovka hotel. From there, the yellow-marked trail leads to the main lookout point, Vyhlídka Hády, a short 615-metre walk of about 15 minutes — the quickest and most popular way in.

When should you go, and how long does it take?

A short loop around the quarry on the educational trail takes about an hour and suits nearly anyone, children included. Those after a longer day out can extend the walk into a full circuit of over 12 kilometres, passing through forest, the U Lidušky lookout tower, and the ruins of Obřany castle, with roughly 400 metres of elevation gain along the way. The clearest views over Brno usually come in spring and autumn, when the air is less hazy and the exposed, rocky slopes aren't baking in summer heat.

Frequently asked questions

Is the climb up Hády difficult? No — the main route to the lookout is short and gentle, about 15 minutes from the car park, and manageable for most visitors, including families with children.

Can you actually walk into the old quarry? Yes, a signposted educational trail runs right through the former workings with information panels along the way, offering a safe close-up look at the quarry itself.

What is Lamacentrum Hády? It's a small farm with llamas and alpacas, open since 2011, and a popular stop for families visiting the area.

How long does a full visit take? A simple walk around the quarry takes about an hour, while the extended loop through the forest, the U Lidušky tower and Obřany castle ruins is a full-day outing of more than 12 kilometres.