Horní Čermná – Hiking Trails, Pilgrimage Site and Nature

Horní Čermná combines the landscape of the foothills of the Orlické Mountains with a valley formed by the Čermná River. The town is interesting for you if you would like to combine nature, marked trails and historical destinations in one trip. Key excursion destinations include the Moravská Sázava Natura 2000 site, the Mariánka lookout tower and the pilgrimage site of Mariánská Hora. Several churches and a living pilgrimage tradition also give the town a distinct cultural profile.

Landscape between the valley and protected forests

The Moravská Sázava Natura 2000 site lies within the cadastral area of Horní Čermná and covers an area of 290.8 ha. It protects, among other things, ash alluvial forests, alder alluvial forests, and beech forests of the Luzulo-Fagetum and Asperulo-Fagetum associations. This precise distinction also makes the landscape interesting for visitors who would like to pay attention to the different types of forest in a protected environment during their walks.

A distinctive lookout point is the Mariánka lookout tower. The wooden tower, open all year round, was built in 2014 and is 23 m high. Its steel spiral staircase leads to an observation platform at a height of 18.8 m. From there, there are views of the Orlické Mountains, Suchý vrch, Lanškroun and the surrounding area; in good visibility, the peaks of the Krkonoše Mountains can also be seen. For planning your day, it is important to distinguish between the total height of the tower and the height of the platform.

Hiking and cycling around Horní Čermná

Several marked routes give the surrounding area different directions. The red-marked long-distance Jiráskova cesta trail runs through the cadastral area of Horní Čermná. In summer it is used by hikers, while in winter it is used by cross-country skiers. It is therefore one of the routes that accommodates a different form of travel depending on the season.

A yellow-marked hiking trail leads west from Horní Čermná to the pilgrimage site of Mariánská Hora. Another yellow-marked trail runs from Horní Čermná through the Sázavské údolí to the summit of Lázek at an elevation of 714 m. Those who would like to compare different types of routes during their stay will therefore find both a destination with religious history and a route to a high point here. For cyclists, cycle route 4072 runs through Horní Čermná and connects Horní Čermná, Dolní Čermná, Petrovice, Bystřec and Čenkovice.

Mariánská Hora and the town's churches

The pilgrimage Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is located in the cadastral area of Horní Čermná near Mariánská Hora. The present church building was constructed in 1875. A Stations of the Cross with fourteen chapels was built in front of the church in 1886. Pilgrimages have been held at Mariánská Hora since 1885. They were prohibited during the German occupation, but were resumed after liberation and continue to take place to this day.

Horní Čermná itself also preserves remarkable evidence of its architectural and religious history. The Protestant church was built between 1836 and 1839, and its tower was added between 1884 and 1885. The interior includes an organ made during the First World War with an older, decorated organ case. The townscape is complemented by the war memorial, which has had its present design since 2018.

A place for different day plans

Koupaliště Horní Čermná is a former firefighting water reservoir that is used as a local outdoor swimming pool. It adds a distinct feature alongside the hiking trails, viewpoints and churches. Horní Čermná is also well connected by bus. Those considering accommodation in Horní Čermná as a base can therefore choose a place from which both routes to Mariánská Hora and through the Sázavské údolí, as well as cultural and historical destinations in the town, can be accessed.

If you would like to compare additional destinations for your trip planning, you can find Běstovice, Zbudov, Řepníky, Koldín, Kameničná, Cervená Voda, Ceská Rybná U Zamberka and Jehnědí here.

Further destinations: Běstovice, Zbudov, Řepníky, Koldín, Kameničná, Cervená Voda, Ceská Rybná U Zamberka, Jehnědí.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Ústí Nad Orlicí.