Beckov – Waterfall, Forest and Hiking Trails

Beckov combines a village with a distinctive forest and rock landscape. The most prominent feature is the Bečkovský Waterfall, about 1 km east of Bečkov. The waterfall lies at the source of a short, distinctive valley incision. A rock wall, a productive concentrated spring with a pseudokarst spring outlet and a cascade are part of this natural setting.

A short route to the Bečkovský Waterfall

A short walk to the Bečkovský Waterfall begins at the entrance to Bečkov. The path leads across a meadow and along the edge of the forest; wooden signposts indicate the direction. The Bečkov–Bečkovský Waterfall–Bečkov route is 2.5 km long in total, making it a clearly defined tour. Those wishing to incorporate the excursion into a longer hike will find further connections in the surrounding area: From Bernartice, hiking and cycling trails lead to the Bečkovský Waterfall or to Jánský vrch with the Krausova Viewpoint.

Forest gorge, rocks and ridges

One distinctive landscape feature is Čertova rokle. It lies at the upper end of Bečkov and cuts into the terrain between the steep slopes of Mravenčí vrch and the border-near Końská. At the foot of Vraní hory, a group of bizarre rhyolite rocks forms the entrance to this gorge. The path into Čertova rokle disappears in several places near the state border amid confusing forest terrain. This clearly distinguishes the area from the signposted short walk to the waterfall.

The wider landscape can also be understood through its distinctive ridgelines. In the regional surroundings of Bečkov, the southern edge of Vraní hory forms the elongated Dlouhá stráň ridge. Beyond the valley of Bečkovský potok and Ličná, a northwestern spur of Jestřebí hory with Janský vrch adjoins it. The yellow hiking trail marking initially follows the saddle between Bečkov and Bernartice, then branches off toward the settlement of Rybníček and climbs from there to Jánský vrch.

Trails between Bečkov, Rybníček and Bernartice

Several described routes give a stay different points of focus. The “Góry Krucze a Bečkovský vodopád” hiking route leads through Bečkov and then on to Bernartice. Excursion route 29a runs from Zlatá Olešnice via Rybníček and Bečkov to Bernartice u Trutnova. Bečkov itself can be reached via a turn-off from the road from Bernartice. When choosing accommodation, this allows you to weigh a stay with short routes to local sights against incorporating the village into wider hiking or excursion routes, without attributing additional services to the village.

Historic traces in the village and along the trails

Bečkov was first mentioned in writing in 1361. In the past, the inhabitants of Bečkov made their living from agriculture, weaving and mining. The former limestone quarry is also of historical significance; its limestone was burned into lime in local lime kilns. Near the former fire tower of Bečkov stands a wayside shrine with a shallow niche; the year 1836 is inscribed at its base.

Local cultural monuments include a stone cross. Below Dlouhá stráň near the Polish border, there is also a metal cross made in 1851 by Johann Schmíd from Potschendorf and his wife. A hexagonal chapel stands at a saddle between Bečkov and Bernartice. In the village, a stone statue of Saint John of Nepomuk also commemorates a donation by Johann and Franziska Bischof from 1902.

Other destinations at the same destination level

If you would like to compare other destinations at the same destination level for your travel planning, you can find Velké Svatoňovice, Dolni Branna, Malé Svatoňovice, Rudník, Prostřední Lánov, Suchovrsice, Zdobín and Kuks here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Trutnov.