Huslenky: Makyta, hiking trails and Wallachian architecture

If you are looking for a destination that combines natural landscapes with regional architecture, Huslenky offers several clearly distinct experiences. The Makyta Nature Reserve represents the landscape of the Javorníky Mountains, while the Evangelical church and the Kychová settlement offer insights into local history and Wallachian cultural heritage.

Makyta and Galovské lúky Nature Reserves

The Makyta Nature Reserve lies within the cadastral area of the municipality of Huslenky in the southwestern part of the Javorníky Mountains. The landscape is situated on Soláň sandstone and ranges from 620 to 922 metres above sea level; the highest peak is Makyta. The protected area includes a near-natural mountain beech forest complex. Silver fir and sycamore maple are common, and there are also numerous transitions to scree communities with endangered and rare animal and plant species.

The Galovské lúky meadows present a different natural landscape. The nature reserve is home to many specially protected and endangered plant species and is particularly known for species from the orchid family. Galovské lúky belongs to the first zone of the Beskydy Protected Landscape Area. Thus, different natural themes meet in and around Huslenky: the forested mountain landscape of Makyta and the meadows characterised by protected plants.

Church and Wallachian architecture

The Evangelical church in Huslenky is a three-nave pseudo-style building dating from 1873 to 1892. It was built to replace a wooden church of tolerance and is considered an important site in the history of religious conflicts. The church is therefore not merely an individual historic building, but also represents an important period in the local religious history.

A second focus of cultural history lies in Kychová. This district of Huslenky forms a hillside settlement above the Kychová stream. The buildings consist of Wallachian log structures. Since 1 January 2005, Kychová has been protected as a heritage zone. Anyone who wants to consider not only the landscape but also traditional settlement forms when planning a trip will find a distinct local character here within Huslenky.

Two marked trails with different destinations

A shared section of the green- and blue-marked hiking trails leads from the centre of Huslenky towards Zděchov and the Galovské lúky meadows. After 2 km, turn left at the Uherská–U Holubů signpost junction onto the green trail. After another 3 km, turn left again at the Uherská–bus signpost junction onto a forest road; then climb approximately 1 km to the meadows below the summit of Hrachovec.

Another marked hiking trail leads from Huslenky railway station along the green trail to the Valašské Kyčery saddle and then along the red trail to Makyta. This route is 12 km long. The two routes therefore provide concrete guidance for planning a day trip: one leads to the protected meadows below Hrachovec, while the other connects Huslenky railway station with the Valašské Kyčery saddle and the summit of Makyta.

Huslenky as a starting point for planning your trip

The Bečva Bevlava Bečva route also provides additional geographical orientation. It runs via Vsetín, Ústí, Valašská Polanka, Lužná, Zděchov, Uherská, Kychová, Huslenky and Hovězí, returning to Vsetín.

For further trip planning, you can also find Hošťálková, Vidče, Janová, Študlov, Branky Na Morave, Valašská Polanka, Rosenau and Mikulůvka.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vsetín District.