Rajnochovice – Forest Railway, Observation Tower and Nature Reserve

Rajnochovice amid the forest railway, forestry history and panoramic views

In Rajnochovice, industrial forestry history, religious culture and signposted trails through protected landscapes come together.

A historic forest railway with rides today

From 1905 to 1921, the Archbishop's Forest Railway, “Arcibiskupská lesní železnice,” had a clearly defined purpose. It transported roundwood from the Kelčský Javorník area and the Podhradní Lhota forest district to the steam sawmill in Rajnochovice. The railway therefore tells not only of a former transport connection, but also of the importance of forestry to the surrounding area.

The Rajnochovice Forest Railway runs along a 300-metre route; the ride takes about 10 minutes. Outside announced public events, visits to the site and rides on the railway can be arranged for individuals and groups. This makes the forest railway an experience with a clearly defined format that differs from a purely museum visit.

Churches and regional history

As part of the “Otevřené brány” cultural project, the parish church “Kostel Narození Panny Marie Rajnochovice” offers free guided tours of the nave and presbytery. Visitors interested in architectural history and religious culture can thus combine their visit with an informative tour of the interior.

The church “Kostel Narození Panny Marie a sv. Anny” in Rajnochovice is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. It was built between 1711 and 1716 following the decision of Cardinal Wolfgang ze Schrattenbachů. Together with the history of the forest railway, this creates a cultural focal point that reveals different periods in the history of the village.

Hiking to Kelčský Javorník and Sochová

A green-marked hiking trail leads from Rajnochovice to the summit of Kelčský Javorník. A 35-metre-high observation tower stands there, offering panoramic views in all directions. Admission is free year-round, subject to current weather conditions. The signposted starting point in Rajnochovice makes it easier to find your way when planning a day combining nature and panoramic views.

The Sochová nature reserve offers a different kind of landscape experience. It lies about 3 kilometres south-southwest of Rajnochovice and can be reached from Rajnochovice via a red-marked hiking trail. The area comprises fir-beech forests, geological formations and pseudokarst features. Fire salamanders and common frogs are also found there. Sochová therefore represents the natural-history side of the surrounding area, while Kelčský Javorník is primarily known for its expansive views.

The Klauza Water Retention Facility

One of the distinctive historical traces in Rajnochovice is the restored Klauza water retention facility. It was originally used to hold back water for timber rafting. Today, the facility can be visited year-round by cross-country skiers, skiers, cyclists and hikers. This makes it possible to combine the site's former use of water with various forms of active exploration, without limiting the facility to just one season.

Discover more places

If you are looking for more destinations for planning your trip, you can also visit Pravčice, Karolín, Střílky, Třebětice, Bezměrov, Slavkov Pod Hostýnem, Vítonice and Míškovice.

To the higher-level travel overview: Kroměříž District.