Jestřebí Nad Metují: Nature and Local History in the Peklo Valley

Jestřebí Nad Metují combines an impressive river landscape with unusual traces of culture. The Peklo Nature Reserve makes the area particularly interesting if you would like to bring nature, activity and local history together in one stay. Between rock walls, forests, hiking trails and historic buildings, you will encounter a wide variety of impressions.

The Peklo Valley: Protected Nature with Distinctive Rocks

The Peklo Nature Reserve protects the unregulated river valleys of the Metuje and Olešenka. The landscape includes block fields, scree slopes and rock walls. The forests resemble near-natural forests that have been little affected by human activity and consist mainly of beech and scree forests; the trees and plants found there include fir, elm, lily and mezereon. River courses, rock formations and forest communities stand side by side in Peklo as distinct landscape elements. A deep, attractive valley and numerous weathering features on rocky outcrops shape the character of the area.

Part of Peklo was designated a nature reserve in 1997, covering just under 320 ha, particularly to protect numerous animals and insects. Peklo is also designated as a Site of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 network. An old stone-built path runs along the slope and offers views of the local forests.

Hiking, Cycling and Paddling

Numerous hiking and cycling trails currently run through Peklo. This allows you to explore the surroundings in different ways and choose whether to focus your day on quiet landscape observation or active travel. The old stone path on the slope adds a particularly vivid historical element to the landscape alongside these trails.

The sections also differ considerably on the water: from Bražec to Peklo, the difficulty rating is WW I, while from Peklo to Nové Město nad Metují it is WW II; the second section is suitable for experienced paddlers. Rapids and cascades are characteristic features of the route. When planning your outing, therefore, it is not only the name of the river that matters, but also your choice of the specific section.

Architectural Monuments and Traces of Local History

Bartoňova útulna is an important architectural monument featuring figures and other devil motifs; it also offers devil-inspired specialties.

The first written mention of Jestřebí dates back to 1459. Another historical reference leads to around 1890, when approximately 35 handlooms were operated in Jestřebí. Several traditional log houses stand in the village center, adding to the architectural character of the area. The former Pekelec mill is also part of the local history: an excursion restaurant operated there from 1912.

When choosing accommodation in Jestřebí Nad Metují, you can keep in mind a destination where protected landscapes, routes for hikers and cyclists, and unusual local history come together in one place. To compare it with other destinations, open Přibyslav Nad Metují, Šonov U Nového Města Nad Metují, Sendraž, Broumov, Slatina Nad Úpou, Chvalkovice V Cechách, Police Nad Metují or Starkov.

For the overview of the wider travel area: Okres Náchod.