Discover Orlicke Zahori: Nature, Hiking and Glassmaking Culture

Orlické Záhoří lies in the valley of the Divoká Orlice on the Czech-Polish border, between the ridges of the Orlické Mountains and the Bystrzyckie Mountains. This means the locality combines scenic experiences, cross-border trails and regional history within a small area.

Between the Border, Mountains and Glassmaking Culture

Orlické Záhoří has a road border crossing to Poland that can be used by pedestrians, cyclists, passenger cars and buses. The Church of St. John the Baptist is a distinctive cultural site. The late Baroque church dates from 1754–1763 and houses a permanent exhibition on the history of glassmaking.

The S Kačenkou po stopách sklářů educational trail also combines activity with regional history. It is 15 km long and can be covered by car, bicycle or on foot between Deštné v Orlických horách and Orlické Záhoří. Seven information boards explain the history of glassworks and glassmaking in the Orlické Mountains. For a stay with a stronger cultural focus, the traditional international woodworking competition Kunštátský drvoštěp adds to the local attractions.

Hiking Trails on Different Scales

The Bedřichovka educational trail is 3 km long, a walking route and easy. The longer section of the trail runs from the Bedřichovka Nature Reserve through the Trčkovská louka Nature Reserve to the Trčkov National Nature Reserve. This allows you to distinguish between a manageable walking route and a natural area with several protected sites without confusing the route lengths.

A longer excursion is the approximately 7 km walking excursion Horské louky Zaorlicka. It leads beyond the ridge of the Orlické Mountains into the area known as Zaorlicko, directly to the Polish state border and the right bank of the Divoká Orlice. The approximate length is deliberately intended as a guide for your planning.

Protected Meadows and Distinctive Buildings

The Orlické Záhoří Bird Area is a 904-hectare Natura 2000 protected area consisting mainly of meadows and pastures. It protects the corn crake (Crex crex) and its wet and spring-adjacent meadows as a breeding habitat.

The Kunštát Chapel stands nearby on the ridge of the Orlické Mountains at an altitude of 1,035 metres. It was rebuilt in 1868–1869 on the site of an earlier chapel. The approximately round, masonry building has a shingle-covered conical roof. The chapel thus adds elevation, history and a distinctive architectural form to your selection of excursion destinations.

Winter and Discoveries with Children

For winter activities, the Ski aréna Orlické Záhoří is documented as having a 4.6 km illuminated cross-country ski trail in Jadrná. If you would like to plan your trip around cross-country skiing, this specific offering is one of the relevant features of the locality.

The Museum výuky minulého století contains a restored classroom from the First Czechoslovak Republic. Children can sit there in old school desks and look at historic teaching aids. The former Pašerácká stezka educational trail near Černá Voda in Orlické Záhoří, on the other hand, has been dismantled and should therefore not be planned as a current excursion destination.

More Places for Your Search

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Orlicke Zahori, you will find Kostelecké Horky, Slatina Nad Zdobnicí, Tyniste Nad Orlici, Mokré, Častolovice, Potštejn, Pěčín and Sedlonov here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Rychnov Nad Kněžnou.