Discover Rychnov nad Kněžnou District

Between Landscapes and Trails

For a stay combining nature and culture, Rychnov nad Kněžnou District offers several clearly distinct experiences. The Orlické Mountains Protected Landscape Area preserves landforms, watercourses and bodies of water, as well as vegetation, wildlife, land use, settlement patterns and characteristic architecture. This makes the region interesting not only because of individual sights: the connection between the landscape and its evolved cultural landscape is also part of its distinctive character.

In the Orlické Mountains and Podorlicko, a dense network of cycling and hiking trails leads to châteaux and military fortifications. You can therefore combine an active day with historical destinations without limiting yourself to just one type of experience. This provides a versatile basis for families with different interests: while some prefer exploring the trails, museums, châteaux and reconstructed historical sites offer concrete alternatives.

A Short Route and a Train Trip

The 2.5-kilometre illuminated route between [Vamberk](Vamberk) and Peklo nad Zdobnicí is particularly easy to experience. It is suitable for cyclists and can be combined with a train journey. In addition to longer hiking and cycling trips, this provides a clearly described route that combines exercise with an excursion by public transport.

Crafts and Regional History

The Muzeum krajky Vamberk is dedicated to the art of bobbin lace-making and its continuing craft tradition. In an interactive workshop, visitors can try this work themselves and assemble a pattern. Sýpka – Muzeum Orlických hor offers another way of exploring the region: traditional regional crafts are presented there in connection with the natural resources of the Orlické Mountains. The Muzeum Orlických hor in Rychnov nad Kněžnou also presents the region’s nature, history and traditional crafts.

The Deštné Tourism, Winter Sports and Crafts Exhibition focuses on the history of local settlement and traditional mountain crafts. Villa Nova Uhřínov is a living open-air archaeological museum with a reconstructed medieval settlement. Following the principles of experimental archaeology, the site features medieval houses, barns, a bread oven, a smithy, buildings for keeping animals and a period-style garden.

Fortresses, Châteaux and Views

Hanička Fortress is one of the five fortresses completed by autumn 1938. At Potštejn Chateau, guided tours lead through historic interiors, including a marble hall. Families with children can also visit the Bubákov and Pohádkov exhibitions there. The central church tower in the town, which is used as a lookout tower, offers views over Rychnov nad Kněžnou and the mountains.

The cultural offerings are equally varied: Orlická galerie uses exhibition rooms on the second floor of Kolowratský Chateau. The Karel Plachetka Memorial Museum displays almost 700 exhibits representing more than 250 species. The range therefore extends from regional crafts and experimental archaeology to art, natural history and military history.

Places for Further Exploration

For further orientation, [Kvasiny](Kvasiny), [Proruby](Proruby), [Trnov](Trnov), [Bartosovice V Orlickych Horach](Bartosovice V Orlickych Horach), [Bystré](Bystré), [Deschney](Deschney), [Chmelište](Chmelište), [Javornice](Javornice), [Orlicke Zahori](Orlicke Zahori), [Trnov U Dobrusky](Trnov U Dobrusky), [Nebeská Rybná](Nebeská Rybná), [Dobré](Dobré), [Dobruska](Dobruska), [Panske Pole](Panske Pole), [Plasnice](Plasnice), [Rampuse](Rampuse), [Rícky V Orlických Horách](Rícky V Orlických Horách), [Tyniste Nad Orlici](Tyniste Nad Orlici), [Zdobnice](Zdobnice), [Licno](Licno), [Olesnice V Orlickych Horach](Olesnice V Orlickych Horach), [Rokytnice V Orlických Horách](Rokytnice V Orlických Horách), [Sediviny](Sediviny), [Sedlonov](Sedlonov), [Rychnov Nad Kneznou](Rychnov Nad Kneznou), [Kounov](Kounov), [Synkov-Slemeno](Synkov-Slemeno), [Zdelov](Zdelov), [Nová Ves U Albrechtic](Nová Ves U Albrechtic), [Žďár Nad Orlicí](Žďár Nad Orlicí), [Bohdašín](Bohdašín), [Bolehošť](Bolehošť), [Borohrádek](Borohrádek), [Kounov U Dobrusky](Kounov U Dobrusky), [Chleny](Chleny), [Černíkovice](Černíkovice), [Častolovice](Častolovice), [České Meziříčí](České Meziříčí), [Kostelec Nad Orlicí](Kostelec Nad Orlicí), [Lhoty U Potštejna](Lhoty U Potštejna), [Liberk](Liberk), [Mokré](Mokré), [Ohnišov](Ohnišov), [Olešnice U Rychnova Nad Kněžnou](Olešnice U Rychnova Nad Kněžnou), [Opočno](Opočno), [Pěčín](Pěčín), [Podbřezí](Podbřezí), [Potštejn](Potštejn), [Přepychy](Přepychy), [Bílý Újezd](Bílý Újezd), [Rybná Nad Zdobnicí](Rybná Nad Zdobnicí), [Slatina Nad Zdobnicí](Slatina Nad Zdobnicí), [Solnice](Solnice), [Voděrady](Voděrady), [Skuhrov Nad Bělou](Skuhrov Nad Bělou), [Byzhradec](Byzhradec), [Lípa Nad Orlicí](Lípa Nad Orlicí), [Lupenice](Lupenice), [Hřibiny-Ledská](Hřibiny-Ledská), [Chlístov U Dobrušky](Chlístov U Dobrušky), [Jahodov](Jahodov), [Janov V Orlických Horách](Janov V Orlických Horách), [Kostelecké Horky](Kostelecké Horky), [Králova Lhota](Králova Lhota), [Krchleby U Kostelce Nad Orlicí](Krchleby U Kostelce Nad Orlicí), [Libel](Libel), [Osečnice](Osečnice), [Lukavice](Lukavice), [Očelice](Očelice), [Pohoří](Pohoří), [Polom U Potštejna](Polom U Potštejna), [Val U Dobrušky](Val U Dobrušky), [Rohenice](Rohenice), [Semechnice](Semechnice), [Sněžné](Sněžné), [Svídnice U Kostelce Nad Orlicí](Svídnice U Kostelce Nad Orlicí), [Třebešov](Třebešov), [Tutleky](Tutleky), [Záměl](Záměl), [Uhřínovice](Uhřínovice), [Končiny](Končiny) and [Vamberk](Vamberk) are available. At Rychnov nad Kněžnou railway station, all platforms are step-free; tactile and audio information is available for visually impaired travellers.

For the higher-level travel overview: Hradec Králové.