Malá Bystřice – Wallachian landscape and culture

Wallachian landscape between streams, meadows and hills

Malá Bystřice combines a varied Wallachian landscape with distinctive natural sites and vibrant regional traditions. Forests, mountain meadows, homes and holiday settlements shape the landscape. The Bystřička stream flows through the valley and gave the municipality its name. Around Malá Bystřice, hills and peaks offer views of the surrounding landscape.

The 620 m-high Santov mountain holds a special position. It is significant for tourism and is even immortalized in the Wallachian folk song “Na Santově kopec, roste tam jalovec” (“On Santov hill, juniper grows there”). Santov is a district of Malá Bystřice and also a popular destination for cyclists and walkers. There are views of the landscape, a family-run restaurant and a listed timber Wallachian bell tower. A swing on a hill adds a leisure stop with views of the surrounding area.

Educational trails and distinctive rock formations

For active days, the Baťova educational trail offers a clearly described route through this part of Vsacko. The trail is approximately 20 km long and includes 18 stations presenting natural features. It runs from Cábské jezírko to a bus stop in Malá Bystřice, where there are three additional information panels. This makes it possible to get to know the landscape not only as a panorama but also through its individual natural features.

The striking natural destinations include the Svantovítovy skály rock formations along the Klenov educational trail route. Svantovítova skála is a protected sandstone outcrop up to 12 m high. The rock formation consists of three parts: Ploutev, Svatka and Svatoušek. Those who focus on the connection between paths, landscape and geological features will find here a distinctly different emphasis from Santov, which is shaped by cultural history.

Orientation on site can also be supported by specific information: Hospoda Santov can be reached from the U Kočíbů bus stop in Malá Bystřice via an approximately 1.7 km uphill walk. The distance is approximate and describes access to this location, not the length of an educational trail or cycling tour.

Crafts, bell tower and Wallachian folklore

Malá Bystřice also preserves memories of historic local crafts. These included the production of wooden utensils, shingles, pocket knives, brooms and bread troughs. The Ovčácké slavnosti provide a living connection to this tradition: they traditionally take place in the meadow by Hospoda Santov and showcase Wallachian folklore. Traditional crafts are demonstrated at the event and local food is sampled. In this way, a stay in Santov combines landscape, regional culture and culinary impressions without requiring the individual aspects to be experienced in the same way.

Further places for your research

If you would like to extend your trip planning to other places, you can also find [Valasska Bystrice](Valasska Bystrice), [Huslenky](Huslenky), [Francova Lhota](Francova Lhota), [Police](Police), [Pustevny](Pustevny), [Hovězí](Hovězí), [Hrachovec](Hrachovec) and [Pozděchov](Pozděchov).

To the higher-level travel overview: Vsetín District.