Orlicke Mountains

(3,658 ft / 1,115 m ASL). The Orlické Mountains gradually change into the jagged but very picturesque foothills in the direction of the Czech inland. The Metuje, Zdobnice, Bělá, and Divoká Orlice rivers flow through the area. The region’s character is formed by the extensive forests, rivers, rock formations, and even by the cultural sights and the well-preserved folk architecture.

The region’s colonization started in the 10th and 11th centuries. The settlements were beingfounded mostly on provincial footways and along the river flows. This way many of important towns were created as time went by. Above all we can name Náchod, Nové Město nad Metují, Dobruška, Opočno, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Rokytnice v Orlických horách, Deštné v Orlických horách, Vamberk, Žamberk, Letohrad, Ústí nad Orlicí, Kostelec nad Orlicí, Lanškroun, Jablonné nad Orlicí, and Králíky.

The whole area is a favorite spot for hiking tourists, bicycle tourists,cross-country skiers, and even for lovers of downhill skiing. The ski resorts in the popular skiing centers of Deštná, Říčky, Čenkovice, and others give an abundance of space for the lovers of winter sports. The most popular cross-country skiing track is the Red Ridgeway starting in Olešnice in Orlické Mountains, going through Šerlich to Pěticestí, Hanička, or alternatively all the way to the Zemská Gate. The tracks in the surroundings of Deštné and Říčky are being treated forthe classic cross-country skiing and for the skating cross-country skiing as well. That way the cross-country skiers have available the total of 56 miles (90 kilometers) of treated tracks. After strolling through the beautiful nature during the summer time, you can cool yourself down in the Pastviny dam reservoir, you can visit the Water Park in Ústí nad Orlicí, or you can have some fun in the Žamberk sports center with the swimming pool, chute-the-chute water slides, and a number of otherattractions. The bicycle tourists are the ones who can really relish this region. There are hundreds of miles of marked bicycle routes here. Not even the hiking tourists had been forgotten. The Jirásek Walkway first represents the very good network of hiking routes. It follows the ridges of Orlické Mountains and you will be rewarded by the beautiful vistas over there. You will also walk by the Czechoslovak military fortification line from the years of 1935 – 1938. If you follow the historyof military, you will get to know more inside the Museum of Military History in Králíky. The most renowned fortification complexes within the area are Hanička, Dobrošov, and Bouda Fortress. Aside from the natural vistas, you can honor some of the many lookout towers with your visit. The inspiration for you could be our hint to visit the lookout towers of Skuhrov, “Suchý vrch” (Dry Hill), Velká Deštná, Andrlův Chlum, and the others. It is also possible to descent the rivers ofOrlické Mountains if their conditions are favorable. You will be certainly provided the information at some of the many local information centers.

The other attractive tourist targets are definitely Litice Castle, Choceň Manor House, Rychnov nad Kněžnou Manor House, Letohrad Manor House, Častolovice Manor House, and Lanškroun Manor House. Information about the region and its inhabitants can be obtained in the City Museum in Ústí nad Orlicí. You can visit the Zemská Gate naturereserve not far from the village of Klášterec nad Orlicí, or the castle ruins of Lanšperk and Žampach. An exhibition that is devoted to foundation of the “Jednota bratrská” (Unity of Brethren) and to the J. A. Komenský’s activities is located in the village of Kunvald inside the Na Sboru House. There is the Museum of Handicrafts in Letohrad. There is an airport in Žamberk that offers the sightseeing flights. A possibility of hunting the big game, which is scarce in the area, is theattraction primarily designed for the foreign tourists. The transportation of tourists around the area is facilitated by CycloBuses from the middle of May until the end of September, and by SkiBuses from approximately the middle of December until the middle of March. Aside from a number of other services for the visitors, you will find an abundance of quality lodging in the area.