Via Štípa to the viewpoint above Burešov

Join us on a walk that will take you to a spa chapel, through the pilgrimage village of Štípa with its beautiful Baroque church, across the picturesque Štákovy paseky meadows and, finally, to a viewpoint above Burešov with lovely views of Zlín and its surroundings. The route is approximately 10 km long, easy to follow, and leads along paved roads as well as forest paths. 

Our journey begins at the Galaxie family leisure park, which is easily accessible by public transport – get off at the Januštice, tenisové kurty stop and cross a small wooden footbridge to join cycle route no. 5067. This takes us Lázně Kostelec, which continues the local spa tradition dating back to the mid-18th century and is known for the exceptional care provided by their sulphur springs. Near the spa building, notice the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, which stands on the site of the original church. If the chapel is open, you can peer through the glass floor at the Mary Magdalene Spring, one of three local healing springs.

From the spa, we continue along the cycle route to Štípa, to the dominant landmark of the entire route – the Baroque Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, a well-known pilgrimage site with a long history. The church is the largest and most architecturally striking in the wider area. Its interior has been preserved in its original form and constitutes an artistically valuable whole that is entirely unique in the Zlín region. On the main altar stands the venerated statue of Our Lady of Štípa, dating back to the early 14th century. Another notable feature is the Štípa organ, one of the largest and highest-quality surviving works by František Čapek and Max Zachistal of Kremže. You can visit the church before or after services, or from May to September during the so-called Open Doors programme. This beautiful Baroque complex is part of the European Cultural Route of St Cyril and St Methodius. Along the way, we also pass a small Gothic church where Albrecht of Wallenstein was married in 1609, later serving as the family tomb of the Seilern counts. 

After the church, we turn right and follow the red Cyril and Methodius Trail through Na Výpustě Street, passing between family homes. Before long we enter the forest, where the asphalt gives way to a forest track. A pleasant stretch among the trees leads us after 2 km to the Pod Štákovým vrškem signpost. Here we turn left onto the blue hiking trail and continue across the picturesque Štákovy paseky. This former woodland settlement in the heart of nature includes a preserved example of a traditional log cottage with a drying room and barn. From here, it is only a short distance to the viewpoint above Burešov, where a beautiful view of the city opens up. This is a view worth lingering over, so we recommend enjoying a small picnic or roasting sausages at the fire pit. 

From the viewpoint, we follow the blue trail through allotment gardens to the Pod Burešovem signpost. Here you have two options: return along the blue trail back to Galaxie, or continue along the red trail to the nearest public transport stop or all the way to the centre of Zlín.