Orlické Mountains

Forests and meadows, valleys tracing wild rivers, old timber cottages and mysterious rock formations – you’ll find all this in the Orlické Mountains, which form a natural border with Poland. Hikers and cyclists, and in the winter months cross-country skiers, often head here for the beautiful views into neighbouring Poland and back into the Czech Republic. The rounded hills and gradual slopes with few steep sections are ideal for such activities.

People don’t come here for natural beauty alone; they also arrive in the area drawn by idyllic chateaux at Opočno, Častolovice and Doudleby nad Orlicí, to explore underground passageways beneath old military fortresses and to admire the delicate beauty of lace from Vamberk. Other popular places include castle ruins at Litice, Žampach and Potštejn, where for almost fifty years Count Chamaré search for buried treasure (in vain) – why not come a follow in his footsteps - perhaps you’ll fare better than he did.

Hanička Artillery Position – This fortressis named after a nearby mountain hamlet. The tour includes a small museum, an exhibition of period weaponry and a 1,500m-long underground passageway. You’ll also learn that in 1975 Hanička was taken over by the Interior Ministry and gradually transformed into a modern bunker for use in the event of a nuclear attack. However, work was never finished and in the mid 1990s the fortress was opened up to the public as an interesting example of a modern-day fortress.

Častolovice Chateau – The chateau interiors, with their frescoes, cassette ceilings and collections of oil paintings and weaponry, document the lifestyle of the Sternberg family over four centuries. There’s also a large park with a lake, a mini-zoo, an enclosure of white deer and a chateau cafe. The chateau also offers tours for the blind.

Chateau at Doudleby nad Orlicí – From its foundation to the present day this sgraffito-adorned Renaissance chateau has belonged to just one family - the Bubnovi. It originally served as a summer palace but was later used as a hunting lodge. Czechs know Doudleby from a film called Bathory (directed by Juraj Jakubisko); filming took place in the courtyard, the chateau park and the chateau itself.

Opočno Chateau – This grand Renaissance chateau has an arcaded courtyard and a large armoury. There’s also an English park boasting some rare species of tree and shrub, several follies, a summer palace, a riding school, a ball game hall and an orangery.

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