Libchyně – Valley, Hiking Trails and History

Libchyně lies in a valley on the Libchyňský potok, about 4 km upstream and northeast of Nové Město nad Metují. The village combines a clearly recognizable landscape with hiking trails, historic traces and nature that can be discovered step by step. Libchyně is particularly interesting for your stay if you want to experience a small village not merely as a starting point, but as an independent part of your journey.

Valley landscape along the Libchyňský potok

The valley of the Libchyňský potok offers a walk through nearly untouched nature. Along its entire course, the stream cuts into the rocky bedrock. This consists of Upper Cretaceous sediments, especially marlstone, as well as underlying metamorphic phyllites. Different geological rocks thus meet along the watercourse, while the valley landscape also creates a direct connection between the scenery and the village itself.

Hiking trails with different highlights

The Libchyňské údolí Geotrail follows the green hiking trail through the Libchyňské Valley to Libchyně. The section from the turnoff “nad koupalištěm” to Libchyně is 3.3 km long. On the route through Libchyně, you will reach a stone cross dating from 1872. The trail thus combines nature observation with a specific historical monument without the village losing its rural character.

Those who want to explore a different route through the valley landscape can consider the “Sendraž – rozhledna Na Vartě” hiking trail. It leads to Libchyně, passes through the valley of the Libchyňský potok and crosses five footbridges. This provides two differently described hiking experiences for orientation: The Geotrail follows the green trail through the valley to the village, while the route from Sendraž to the rozhledna Na Vartě incorporates the stream and several footbridges. The terrain of the Libchyňské údolí Geotrail is not suitable for strollers; anyone traveling with a stroller should take this limitation into account when planning the day.

Local history between village, mill and Hradiště

The first written mention of Libchyně dates from 1459. In 1503, Jan Černčický of Kácov handed the village over to the newly founded Nové Město Hradiště, to which it remained subject until 1848. Another historical reference is the mill: Jan Štěpán built it in Libchyně in 1557 before it was purchased by Jan Libchyňský in 1636.

The archaeological Hradiště is also one of the documented traces of the past. Today, it features a rampart and a ditch. Together with the stone cross from 1872 and the history of the mill, the landscape presents not merely a register of places, but a sequence of clearly distinguishable points of interest for exploration.

More destinations in the selection

Other destinations you can access in this selection include Hermanice, Heřmánkovice, Machovska Lhota, Šonov U Nového Města Nad Metují, Černčice, Česká Metuje, Slatina Nad Úpou and Stolin.

To the higher-level travel overview: Náchod District.