vodopády Na Kotlíku

Na Kotlíku Waterfalls are a small but scenic cascade on the Kotlík stream near the village of Sedlec, in the Třebíč district of the Vysočina region, Czech Republic.

Where exactly are the falls?

The Kotlík stream rises about 600 metres south of Sedlec, close to the hamlet of Sedlecký Dvůr, and before joining the Oslava river it tumbles over a series of drops and small waterfalls. The main step falls somewhere between two and four metres, depending on recent rainfall - in dry weather the stream carries only a modest trickle (roughly 15 litres per second on average), while after heavy rain or snowmelt the flow increases noticeably.

How do you get there?

A green-marked trail runs alongside a short stretch of the Kotlík valley, but reaching the waterfalls themselves is not straightforward - this is a destination for confident, experienced hikers rather than families with small children. A popular route links the waterfalls on the Sedlecký stream (known locally as Hučák) with the Kotlík falls, starting from a small car park by the Hájenka forester's lodge. Much of the walk follows unmarked paths or cuts straight through the forest, and near the cascades hikers often simply wade along the streambed. Anyone willing to leave the main trail and follow the Kotlík stream upstream will, after roughly 150 metres, reach the so-called Divoké rokle ("Wild Gorge"), where the water drops over a striking set of rapids and cascades.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The trail runs through the Oslava river valley, passing close to Vlčí kopec, a small hunting lodge set in parkland high above the river's right bank. An Empire-style lookout tower called Babylon rises above the lodge's grounds, giving wide views across the rolling Vysočina countryside. Downstream of Vlčí kopec, the Kotlík stream forms several further, lesser-known cascades, so there is plenty to explore for anyone who enjoys following a stream through the woods.

When should you visit?

Water levels are highest in spring after the snow melts, and again in autumn and winter following heavy rain - that is when the Kotlík cascades look their best. In summer, during dry spells, the stream can shrink considerably and some of the smaller drops may nearly dry up. Because much of the approach is unmarked and the rocks near the water get slippery, sturdy hiking boots and daylight hours are a good idea.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a marked trail all the way to the waterfalls? Only partly - a green trail follows a short section of the valley, but reaching the falls themselves means leaving the marked route and walking through unmarked forest terrain.

Where's the best place to start the hike? Most visitors start from the small car park by the Hájenka forester's lodge, following the route first to the Sedlecký stream waterfalls (Hučák) and then on to Kotlík.

Is this a good hike for families with children? Not really - the unmarked stretches, forest walking, and sections where you wade along the streambed make it better suited to experienced adult hikers.

What else can I combine with a visit to the falls? Nearby you'll find the Vlčí kopec hunting lodge with its Empire-style Babylon lookout tower, plus several more, less-known cascades further along the Kotlík stream in the Oslava valley.