Tisůvka

Tisůvka is a rocky summit and nature reserve in the Žďárské vrchy range, right next to the village of Cikháj on the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. It rises to 804 metres above sea level and sits deep in dense forest, forming one of the region's characteristic "stone seas."

What will you see there?

The main draw is a gneiss rock formation at the summit — a block roughly 15 metres tall known locally as Čertův kámen (the Devil's Stone). It's a textbook example of a frost-riven crag, a landform shaped by frost weathering after the retreat of continental glaciers. The site has been protected as a natural monument since 1974, safeguarding both the rocks themselves and the silicate rock vegetation and forest stands around them. Administratively, it falls under the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area.

The summit itself is wooded and offers no view, but the rocky section is accessible on foot and to climbers. Tisůvka is registered as an official climbing sector with the Czech Mountaineering Association, so scrambling the rock is allowed as long as visitors respect the nature-protection rules.

How do you get there?

The starting point is the bus stop in Cikháj. From there, walk toward Herálec and Svratka for about 500 metres, then turn left onto the so-called "Mokrá silnice" (Wet Road) and follow it for roughly 1.5 kilometres, sticking to the red-marked tourist trail. The whole route runs through forest and needs no special preparation — it's a walk suitable for most visitors, though sturdy footwear helps since the path can turn muddy in wetter months.

A nature trail called Tisůvka – Žákova hora also runs through the area, tracing the central ridge of the Žďárské vrchy. It's a good option for anyone who wants to pair a visit to Tisůvka with a longer ridge walk and see more of the region's rock formations, including the well-known Devět skal (Nine Rocks), about 6 kilometres to the northeast.

When should you visit?

Late spring and summer are the best times, when the forest floor is dry and the trail easiest to walk — in winter and early spring the woods can be muddy or snow-covered, making the approach to the rocks harder going. Autumn, meanwhile, is a good season for photographing the colourful foliage around the gneiss blocks.

A local legend

Tisůvka comes with its own folklore: according to local legend, the rock is what remains of a church from Světnov that the devil snatched away during construction and dropped precisely over Tisůvka. Hence the name Čertův kámen, the Devil's Stone — a motif common across the Czech uplands, where unusual rock shapes were often explained away as the work of dark forces.

Frequently asked questions

Can you climb Tisůvka? Yes — it's a registered climbing sector in the Czech Mountaineering Association's records. Climbing is done at your own risk and must respect the protected-area rules.

Is there a view from the top? No. The summit is forested and offers no panorama; the attraction is the rock formation itself, not the view.

How long is the walk from Cikháj? The route is about 2 kilometres and runs through gentle forest terrain, so it typically takes 30–40 minutes one way.

Can you combine this with other sights nearby? Yes — the Tisůvka – Žákova hora nature trail lets you continue along the Žďárské vrchy ridge, and the well-known Devět skal peak is about 6 kilometres away.