Žďár nad Orlicí – Floodplain Landscape, Cycle Paths and Local Culture

Žďár nad Orlicí is a destination where river landscapes, cycle routes, water sports and local culture come together. The cadastral area lies in the floodplain landscape of the Tichá Orlice and Divoká Orlice rivers. This gives you a diverse range of options: you can explore protected nature, discover a cycle route, use the waterways for water sports or combine local history and theatre.

Floodplain Landscape and Protected Nature

The Orlice Nature Monument also includes the cadastral area of Žďár nad Orlicí. The protected landscape features include floodplain forests, wetlands, river reeds, oxbow lakes, pools and various types of meadow. The different habitats give the area its distinctive character, without limiting nature to a single type of landscape.

Žďár nad Orlicí is also home to the protected Orlice Nature Park. It was designated in 1996 along the Divoká Orlice and Tichá Orlice rivers and at their confluence into the Orlice. The park protects rare river and floodplain ecosystems as well as the distinctive landscape character of the Orlice river basin. Its diverse wildlife includes various bird communities and the European otter. The Orlice Nature Park is also designated as a Natura 2000 site of European importance.

Cycling, Water and Paths

Cyclists will find several connections through the municipality. Cycle Route 4161 runs between Podlesí and Moravsko through Žďár nad Orlicí, while Cycle Route 4163 also passes through the municipality between Borohrádek and Nová Ves. Those looking for a longer route can consider the 62-kilometre route “Přes soutok Tiché a Divoké Orlice k poutnímu místu Homole”, described as moderately challenging; it also passes through Žďár nad Orlicí.

The Orlice waterways are frequently used for water sports in the Žďár nad Orlicí area. Outside the municipality, there are paved footpaths providing access to the surrounding landscape. This allows cycling, walks through the river floodplains and activities on the water to be considered as different focuses of a trip, without combining them into a single experience.

History and Local Culture

Žďár nad Orlicí is first mentioned in writing in 1342. The place name derives from the word “žďářit”, which refers to creating land by clearing and burning the forest. A cross is among the monuments of local importance in Žďár nad Orlicí. A current cultural highlight is the Mošnův divadelní spolek, which currently regularly stages comedies at Hostinec Pod Kaštany.

Location and Railway Connection

The railway is another specific point of reference for orientation within the municipality. The single-track, electrified railway line 026 between Choceň and Týniště nad Orlicí crosses the territory of Žďár nad Orlicí. A railway stop is located at the western end of the village. Thus, both the river landscape and the railway line are defining geographical features of the place.

Other Places for Orientation

Other places within the same broader destination are Chlístov U Dobrušky, Mokré, Kvasiny, Semechnice, Polom U Potštejna, Trnov, Dobré and Světlá.

For the broader travel overview: Rychnov Nad Kněžnou District.