Discover Trutnov District: Mountains, Culture and Safari

Trutnov District brings together the landscapes of the eastern Krkonoše Mountains, trails, historic memorial sites and a safari experience. When planning your trip, consider the season and trail conditions, as well as the different attractions focused on nature, culture and leisure.

Trutnov District at a glance

• The Capek Brothers’ Path passes through mountain meadows, forests and small fortifications dating from the First Czechoslovak Republic.
• The Den bitvy u Trutnova commemorates the 1866 battle; an 11 km cycling loop leads to other battle sites.
• Kuks Hospital was founded in the early 18th century and includes the Church of the Holy Trinity and Dance of Death murals.
• Dvůr Králové Safari Park combines African animal enclosures with an African safari and a lion safari.
• A tourist bus line connects Hradec Králové via Trutnov to the eastern Krkonoše, continuing via Malá Úpa and Pomezní Boudy.

Mountain landscapes and trails in different seasons

The Capek Brothers’ Path takes you through the varied landscapes of the eastern Krkonoše. Along the way are mountain meadows, forests and small fortifications dating from the First Czechoslovak Republic. The trail is suitable for cycling in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. Which activities are possible depends on the weather and trail conditions.

The cycling trails in the Krkonoše also vary in difficulty. Orientation maps and rest areas are among their features; infrastructure may change over time. In Trutnov, Trutnov Trails and Bikepark Vlčka are among the cycling options. Check current trail conditions before planning your trip.

The Den bitvy u Trutnova passes memorial sites connected with the 1866 battle between Austria and Prussia. The route starts at Krakonošovo náměstí, passes through the town park to the Gablenz Monument, and ends near St John’s Chapel and a military cemetery. To extend the route, you can add an 11 km cycling loop to other battle sites.

The Trutnovský sjezd offers a different route description: it passes through Hrádeček Nature Park and by the ruins of Břecštejn Castle before reaching Trutnov. The route is mostly on paved and surfaced roads, but also includes unpaved and steep sections. It includes a cable car ride to Černá hora, followed by a long descent and views of the landscape. As the cable car operates seasonally, check its schedule before your trip.

Culture, remembrance and events

Several distinctive cultural features come together at Kuks Hospital: founded in the early 18th century, the complex includes the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dance of Death murals, and allegories of the virtues and vices. These features offer visitors different ways to explore art, religion and representations of human character.

Trutnov also offers cultural attractions beyond its mountain trails. The town is associated with a dragon legend presented at the Galerie Draka. Its festival calendar spans the year and includes music, jazz, new circus, theatre and other stage events. Individual programmes may change.

Stachelberg Artillery Fortress lies between Trutnov and Žacléř, above the village of Babí. It adds a site with military-historical connections to the region’s historical attractions. The Den bitvy u Trutnova, meanwhile, leads to memorial sites commemorating the 1866 battle; the two attractions highlight different aspects of regional history.

Safari, swimming and hands-on activities

Dvůr Králové Safari Park offers African animal enclosures, an African safari and a lion safari. A visit may take several hours or a whole day. Safari Hotel and Safari Camp are available for overnight stays; check accommodation availability and the evening safari before your trip.

For a different kind of leisure, the Dolce recreation area combines swimming and camping. At Tkalcovna in Dům pod jasanem, visitors can take part in an activity making a lucky bracelet from flax stalks. Check access arrangements in advance. The options are quite distinct: wildlife experiences and a possible overnight stay at the Safari Park, swimming and camping in Dolce, or trying a craft at Tkalcovna.

Bus connections and accommodation options

The tourist bus line between Hradec Králové and Trutnov continues into the eastern Krkonoše via Malá Úpa and Pomezní Boudy. Routes and timetables vary by season; check the connection before your trip. A main bus route also connects the Krkonoše, although transport services and seasonal timetables may change.

If the Safari Park is a major part of your itinerary, consider Safari Hotel and Safari Camp for an overnight stay. Check their availability along with your preferred evening programme before planning your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Borovnice U Staré Paky, Rudník, Chotevice, Dolni Dvur, Dolni Kalna, Dolni Lanov, Hajnice, Kralovec, Lánov, Prkenný Dul, Spindlermühle, Strazne, Svoboda Nad Upou, Trautnau, Upice, Bílá Třemešná, Borovnicka, Debrne, Dolní Lyseciny, Hertvikovice, Horní Marsov, Horni Olesnice, Kuks, Marsov U Upice, Mostek, Pilníkov, Radvanice V Čechách, Slemeno, Temny Dul, Velky Vrestov, Vitezna, Dolni Branna, Hostinne, Jivka, Starobucke Debrne, Zirec, Čermná v Krkonoších, Krenov, Dvůr Králové Nad Labem, Kocbere, Bernartice U Trutnova, Rtyne V Podkrkonosi, Havlovice, Vlcice, Lanzov, Markousovice, Horni Brusnice, Staré Buky, Suchovrsice, Choustnikovo Hradiste, Velké Svatoňovice, Doubravice U Dvora Králové, Zdobín, Batňovice, Bílé Poličany, Třebihošť, Dolní Olešnice, Vilantice, Dubenec, Hřibojedy, Lampertice, Libňatov, Malé Svatoňovice, Prosečné, Stanovice U Kuksu, Vlcice U Trutnova, Vlčkovice V Podkrkonoší, Dolní Brusnice, Horní Kalná, Klášterská Lhota, Kohoutov, Libotov, Litíč, Zábřezí-Řečice, Trotina, Petrikovice, Horní Staré Buky, Javorník, Souvrať, Nemojov U Dvora Králové Nad Labem, Kocléřov, Cermná U Vrchlabí, Dolní Malá Úpa, Beckov, Čistá V Krkonoších, Černý Důl, Velká Úpa, Prostřední Lánov, Chvaleč, Hořejší Vrchlabí, Žacléř, Pec Pod Snežkou, Nemojov, Dolníky, Velehrádek, Mladé Buky, Vrchlabi, Johannisbad, Malá Úpa.

FAQ / Frequently asked questions about Trutnov District

Which trails are suitable for a cycling trip?

The Capek Brothers’ Path is suitable for cycling in summer; an 11 km cycling loop to other battle sites is available as an extension to the Den bitvy route. The Krkonoše cycling trails vary in difficulty, and Trutnov Trails and Bikepark Vlčka are additional cycling options. Take weather, trail conditions and changing infrastructure into account when planning your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Hradec Králové.