To the Most Beautiful Cave in the Moravian Karst

Planning a trip to Macocha? Well, sure, it is the most famous Czech cave, but you should know that the Balcarka Cave in Ostrov u Macochy is the most beautiful cave in the whole Moravian Karst. The maze under the Balcar Rock stands out for its extremely rich and colourful dripstone decoration.

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route length

8.2 km

time needed

2:30 hours

superelevation

146 m


If you come to the Balcarka Cave by car, there is parking available right at the cave, while if you come by bus, get off at the stop called Ostrov u Macochy, Balcarka. The trip is conceived as a circuit and which side you start from is up to you. You will experience Macocha as well, from the upper bridge – you only have to extend your visit a little. The Moravian Karst encourages exploration...

The Balcarka Cave is situated in a picturesque karst deep down near the village of Ostrov u Macochy. The underground maze of corridors, cracks and domes is spread across two underground levels. The entrance portal of the cave is a significant paleontological and archaeological site. It can only be visited as part of a guided tour, plan approximately 60 minutes for it.

After the tour of Balcarka, go along the bike trail called Through the Heart of South Moravia to the right and explore the karst village of Ostrov u Macochy. You will find a lot of small caves and sinkholes along the way, up to the signpost Ostrov – U Hřbitova (Ostrov – At the Cemetery). Here, join the red tourist marking on the left, walk past the windmill and turn right onto the green tourist trail, which leads to the Macocha abyss. When you get enough of looking into the green depth of the abyss, take the same way back, but this time turn right to the red trail at the signpost Ostrov – nad Balcarkou (Ostrov – Above the Balcarka Cave). You will get back to your car or to the bus stop, back to the Balcarka Cave.

Route map

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