Pecka: Castle, Hiking Trails and Natural Swimming Pool

Pecka offers a varied combination of castle history, local culture, woodland paths and experiences in the countryside. Pecka Castle was founded at the rocky end of an elongated ridge at the end of the 13th century and has been partially preserved as a ruin. There are also historical tours, a Baroque church, a natural swimming pool and marked trails offering views of several Bohemian landscapes.

Castle and History in Pecka

The historical tour Trasa A at Pecka Castle leads through Kryštof Harant’s study as well as rooms dedicated to the history of the castle and the town of Pecka. Another tour, Harantovské sklepy, includes wine and beer cellars, storerooms, the Veselka banquet hall, a bath and a medieval torture chamber. A visit to the castle thus offers the opportunity to discover different aspects of the complex.

The town square also contributes to the area’s historic character. It is home to a plague column erected in 1720, topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary. The Baroque Church of St Bartholomew was built from 1751 to 1753 and features interior frescoes by Václav Kramolín dating from 1756.

Woodland Paths, Water and Cycling

The Hravá Homolka woodland path leads from the reception of Pecka campsite along a stream towards the forest. Along the path are ten stations with sports, play-based and knowledge-oriented activities. The combination of the stream, forest and ten stations links physical activity with playful and educational discoveries. The route therefore offers a range of experiences as you make your way from the campsite starting point into the woodland landscape.

Koupaliště & kempu Pecka has a natural swimming pool with treated water. For a longer cycling tour, the 50-kilometre road cycling route “Do města kamenné krásy a na Zvičinu” is available. It starts at Pecka campsite and returns there. Returning to the campsite makes the 50-kilometre route a circular cycling tour and makes planning the outing easier. Well-marked hiking trails run through the varied landscape around Pecka, with preserved nature, local sights and extensive views of the Krkonoše Mountains, Kozákov, Zvičina and the Hořické chlumy.

Surroundings and Orientation

The hill Čihadlo [Pecka-Bukovina] is located in the immediate vicinity of Pecka. Maxinec (MLázovický chlum) is a mountain in the surroundings of Pecka. The wider regional area also includes the Tábor and Strážník mountains as well as the Spalona Stražnica ruin. Lázně is a church in the vicinity of Pecka.

The Pecka Tourist Information Centre is located in the local library in the municipal office building. There you can obtain free leaflets about the town, the castle and the outdoor swimming pool, as well as maps showing tourist destinations. For further research into the area, you can also view Vidonice, Bílsko U Hořic, Samšina, Záhuby, Červená Třemešná, Ostružno, Zeleznice and Markvartice U Sobotky.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jičín District.