Kralovec – Hiking, Mountains and Local History

[[H_0001]Trails and Connections Around Královec

If you would like to combine nature and local history during your stay, a first look at the routes and historical sites in Královec is a good place to start. The route to Královecký Špičák and through the surrounding Vraní hory Mountains can begin in Královec and lead back to Bernartice, where a bus connection is available. For connections with other places, the Žacléř Tourist Railway is available: it connects Královec with Žacléř and Lampertice; selected special trains also run via Bernartice and Trutnov střed to Trutnov.

A route to Královecký Špičák branches off the blue hiking trail in Bernartice and leads via the Traverz Vraních hor cycle path to the mountain slope. The route includes a viewpoint and a rest area at the summit. At 881 m above sea level, Královecký Špičák is the highest peak of the Vraní hory Mountains. The mountain is used by paragliders from the Czech Republic and Poland.

Landscape of the Vraní hory Mountains

The landscape also includes the Lom Královec quarry in the Vraní hory Mountains. It is an illustrative exposure of Permian rhyolite. Alongside the summit and the course of the trails, this provides another specific landscape feature for your exploration.

Church and Historical Traces

The Church of Saint John of Nepomuk in Královec was built between 1924 and 1928. The classicizing building has a prismatic tower on the façade, a rectangular nave, and a semicircular apse. The church was consecrated on August 5, 1928; it was restored in the mid-1990s.

The history of the town also includes predecessor buildings and memorial features. The Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk was consecrated on September 22, 1812. The former chapel was demolished in 1933 after the new church had been consecrated. A statue of Saint John of Nepomuk dating from 1762 still stands at its original location. There is also a stone reconciliation cross beside the church steps. A restored statue of Saint John of Nepomuk is located 50 m along the access road to the church.

This makes it possible to explore the local history through several stops: the construction and restoration of the present church, the former chapel, the statue at its original location, and the features along the church access route. Together with the route to Královecký Špičák, this creates a travel plan in which landscape, activity, and culture each provide different focal points.

Further Places for Your Research

For further research, you can also explore Hertvikovice, Dvůr Králové Nad Labem, Nemojov U Dvora Králové Nad Labem, Doubravice U Dvora Králové, Slemeno, Rtyne V Podkrkonosi, Strazne and Dolni Branna.

To the main travel overview: Okres Trutnov.