Šonov – Hiking, Geology and Churches in the Broumovsko Region

Šonov between a protected landscape and distinctive religious buildings

Šonov combines a protected landscape with unusual geological features and historic religious buildings. If you would like to combine nature experiences and culture during your trip, you will find various points of interest here: a cross-border hiking trail, the geologically interesting Kamenec locality, Homole mountain and two religious buildings with very distinctive histories.

Hiking to Homole and through the Broumovsko region

The entire area of Šonov lies within the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area. A blue-marked hiking trail to Homole leads from Hvězda via Křinice and Šonov to Nowa Ruda.

Homole, also known as Šonovská sopka, is located in the Javoří Mountains east of Šonov in the Czech Republic. At the summit there is a ventarole from which warm air emerges. It is a rocky depression approximately 4 m deep. This unusual name and specific geological feature give the hiking destination a distinctly different character from an ordinary viewpoint.

Another geologically notable locality is Kamenec, approximately 1.2 km northeast of the centre of Šonov. It includes rocks, rock walls and outcrops of andesitoids, also known as melaphyre. Those who want to pay attention not only to paths and townscapes during their stay, but also to rock formations, will find an independent destination here with clear geographical orientation.

Church history in two very different buildings

The Church of St. Margaret stands alone on a hill west above Šonov. From there, it offers views of Broumov and the surrounding landscape. The building is an example of High Baroque architecture and was constructed between 1727 and 1730. Its authorship is indirectly attributed to Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. The floor plan is also unusual: it consists of a passage oval with quadrilaterals bevelled at the ends.

The Chapel of the Virgin Mary leads to another layer of the town’s history. It stands on the site of the former wooden Church of St. John the Evangelist, which had been documented since 1354 and burned down in 1775. The neo-Gothic Chapel of the Virgin Mary was built there in 1877. The access arrangements are important for visitors: From the outside, the chapel is accessible daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Access to the interior is possible by prior telephone arrangement with the Roman Catholic Parish of Broumov.

The late Baroque vicarage is also part of the historic townscape. Its construction history began in 1782 and extends to the present day. Together with the chapel and the Church of St. Margaret, it forms a cultural focal point that is not limited to a single construction date or architectural style.

A designated cycling route through the Javoří Mountains

For a longer bicycle tour, the 46 km-long, moderately difficult to difficult Cyklookruh “ze Šonova po Javořích horách přes Głuszycu a Osówku” is available. The route is intended for mountain bikes or trekking bikes and begins at the crossroads by the municipal office in Šonov. Compared with the hiking trail to Homole, it therefore offers a clearly defined circular route with a higher level of sporting challenge and its own starting point in the town.

More destinations for your research

If you would like to look at other places for your travel planning in addition to Šonov, you can also open Borová U Náchoda, Velký Třebešov, Rasošky, Nahořany Nad Metují, Nový Ples, Police Nad Metují, Jetřichov and Dolní Radechová.

For the higher-level travel overview: Náchod District.