Bystřec – St. James’ Church and Trails in the Orlické Mountains

Bystřec combines a distinctive landmark with a landscape that can be clearly described. The village lies in the foothills of the Orlické Mountains near Jablonné nad Orlicí. At the same time, it is situated in a deep valley formed by the stream of the same name, west of Buková hora in the southern part of the Orlické Mountains. Those looking for more than just a place name when planning a trip, but also a recognizable landscape and specific things to discover, will find several different starting points here.

St. James as a defining feature of the village

St. James’ Church is a distinctive landmark of Bystřec. Its history extends beyond the present building: the current masonry church replaced a wooden church in 1828 and was consecrated on October 17, 1830. Another special feature can be found among its furnishings. The church has a bell dating from 1585 bearing the coat of arms of the Perštýns. Several layers of history therefore come together in one place—the older bell, the 19th-century replacement building and the church’s present appearance. The bell thus dates from the 16th century, while the current church building was constructed and consecrated in the 19th century.

Hiking trails and local orientation

A blue-marked hiking trail passes through Bystřec. For the journey there, a train ride to Jablonné nad Orlicí on railway line No. 024 was planned. From the station, the route continued on foot along the red-marked hiking trail to the square, approximately 0.5 kilometers, and then along the blue-marked route toward Bystřec, approximately 3 kilometers. The section to the square is therefore considerably shorter than the subsequent approximately 3 kilometers toward Bystřec. There is also a bus stop in the center of Bystřec.

Routes around Bystřec

The Bystřecké kilometry program included a 15-kilometer IVV route called “Around the Municipality of Bystřec.” The event also offered hiking routes of 6, 15, 27, 35, 42 and 50 kilometers. The 15 kilometers were both the length of the dedicated IVV route and one of the event’s advertised routes. The 6-kilometer route was the shortest advertised distance, while the 50-kilometer route was the longest.

Water basin and local history

An unusual connection between local history and water can be found at the former castle moat. It was cleaned between 1964 and 1966. A water basin was created there, serving as a natural circular open-air swimming pool with an island. The complex therefore also includes an island. The local name “Na hradě” has survived to this day. An event is also connected with this area: the traditional Benátská noc took place on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in the area of the open-air swimming pool.

Other places in the same broader context

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Bystřec, you can also include Anenská Studánka, Cotkytle, Wildenschwert, Jehnědí, České Heřmanice, Šedivec, Zářecká Lhota and Jamne Nad Orlici in your broader search.

For the broader travel overview: Ústí nad Orlicí District.