The Želivka river is the left tributary of the Sázava river. Only its headstream, the small river called Hejlovka, flows in the north-eastern part of South Bohemia.

It springs on the northern slope of Troják hill (704 m) about 8 km north-east of the small town Kamenice nad Lipou. The Želivka originates in the confluence of the Hejlovka river and the Hejnický Potok stream ahead of the Sedlice Dam. Then Želivka curves to the west and it runs to the small town Želiv. Then it heads out of South Bohemia.

Želivka is 99 km long and its river basin is 1,189 square km large.