U Slepice

U Slepice is the highest hill of the Ždánický les (Ždánice Forest), rising to about 437 metres above sea level northeast of the small town of Ždánice in South Moravia. The summit sits right at the meeting point of four districts — Hodonín, Břeclav, Brno-venkov and Vyškov — a detail that stands out on any regional map of the area.

Where does the name come from?

The story goes back to the 1740s, when a forester from Ždánice named Petr Orlich built his hunting lodge on the hill. According to local legend, he found a hen that had hatched chicks inside a hollow tree, and named the spot after her — "U Slepice" translates roughly as "at the hen's place." A painting of the hen with her chicks was added to the lodge's gable. The building was destroyed by Russian troops after the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, rebuilt in 1810, and by 1813 the hen-and-chicks motif was repainted on the gable — a detail still repeated whenever the hill's history comes up.

How do you get there?

The easiest approach is on foot or by bike from Ždánice itself: a marked trail leads up to the summit and back down through the village of Lovčice, so a loop route is easy to plan without retracing your steps. From the top, a yellow-marked trail continues toward Nevojice, making U Slepice a convenient waypoint for a longer hike or ride along the forest ridge. It's a well-known crossing point for hiking and cycling routes, so during the season it's common to meet other visitors heading in different directions.

What will you see up there?

The summit itself is wooded, but the area around it offers a nice view over the surrounding hills of Ždánický les — one of the larger forest complexes in South Moravia, protected as a designated nature park. One unusual feature: oil is actually extracted at the highest point of the forest, where a facility operated by the company Moravské naftové doly stands right on the hill. That mix of hiking infrastructure and industrial equipment right at the summit is unusual and worth knowing about before you arrive.

A nature trail also runs through the area, connecting Ždánice with U Slepice and Lovčice, with information panels covering the forest's natural environment, the region's history, and the local oil extraction. It's a good option for families, since the panels explain what you're looking at in simple terms along the way. Nearby lies the U Vrby nature reserve, worth folding into a longer walk if you have the time.

When should you visit?

Since Ždánický les is a forested area, spring and autumn tend to be the most pleasant seasons for hiking — temperatures are comfortable for longer routes, and views near the summit are clearer once the foliage thins out. In summer, the tree cover provides welcome shade along most of the route, which cyclists riding the length of the ridge will especially appreciate on warmer days.

Frequently asked questions

How high is U Slepice? The summit reaches about 437 metres above sea level, making it the highest point in the entire Ždánický les forest.

Can you get there without a car? Yes — the best starting point is Ždánice, from where a marked walking trail leads up, and the route can be closed into a loop via Lovčice.

Is there anything to see at the top besides forest? Yes: near the summit stands an oil extraction facility operated by Moravské naftové doly, along with pleasant views over the surrounding countryside, and the U Vrby nature reserve lies close by.

Why does the hill have such an unusual name? It comes from a legend about forester Petr Orlich, who in the 18th century found a hen with her chicks inside a hollow tree on the hill and named the place after her.