Mist settles into the valleys of the Orlické Mountains, softening the edges of spruce forests that stretch across the border between Bohemia and Poland. These gentle peaks, rarely exceeding 1,100 metres, offer reliable snow for winter sports and well-marked trails for summer hiking. The region feels quieter than the better-known Czech resorts, with smaller crowds and a slower pace. Old mountain huts serve hot soup and dumplings to chilled skiers, while summer brings cyclists and berry pickers to the forest paths. The landscape is not dramatic; it is comfortable and green, a place where families can ski without intimidation and hikers can walk for hours without encountering more than a handful of people.
Protected landscape area of Orlické hory (literal translation, Eagle Mountains) is located in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic and is composed of over 50 km long ridge with altitudes around 1,000 metres. The highest peak of this mountain range is Velká Deštná (1,115 metres above sea level).
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Geography and Natural heritage
Geographically Orlické hory are divided into three parts: Deštenská highland, Mladkovská highland and Bukovohorská highland. Orlické hory was declared a protected landscape area in 1969 and includes 19 protected parts. There are several rivers flowing through the mountains such as Olešenka River, Divoká Orlice and Tichá Orlice. The mountains cover a total area of 204 square kilometres and it is a home to rare and protected species of plants and animals. The forests here are predominantly spruce with scattered beech and fir trees, creating a rich habitat for deer, wild boar, and the critically endangered capercaillie. The Divoká Orlice River (Wild Eagle River) carves a deep, scenic valley through the landscape, popular among kayakers during the spring melt. The area is also part of the Natura 2000 network of protected sites, which has helped preserve its unique ecosystems. Birdwatchers will find black storks, peregrine falcons, and Eurasian pygmy owls among the resident species. The geology of the range consists mainly of gneiss and mica schist, with interesting formations visible along the river banks and in the deeper valleys. During autumn, the forests put on a spectacular display of colour as the leaves turn gold and red before the first snow arrives.
Skiing, Hiking and Cycling in the Orlické Mountains
Orlické hory offers ideal conditions for hiking and biking. During the winter months it is ideal for skiing and cross-country skiing. Among the most popular ski resorts are Deštné v Orlických horách, Říčky v Orlických horách, Zdobnice or Čenkovice. Deštné is the largest and most developed of these, offering 10 kilometres of downhill slopes served by modern chairlifts and a snow park for snowboarders. The cross-country ski trail network stretches over 200 kilometres through the mountains, connecting the various resorts and providing routes for all ability levels. In summer, the same trails become excellent mountain biking routes, with several bike parks offering downhill tracks with varying difficulty levels. Hikers can choose from dozens of well-marked trails ranging from short nature walks to full-day ridge traverses. The main ridge trail, known as the Jiráskova cesta, runs for 55 kilometres along the crest of the mountains, offering magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and into neighbouring Poland.
Castles, Fortifications and Cultural Attractions
Visitors will be pleased with numerous cultural and historical monuments, which include for example Opočno castle, the baroque castle of Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Doudleby nad Orlicí castle, or Častolovice castle, which is one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in the Czech Republic. Among the most visited ruins are Potštejn and Litice, Žampach and Lanšperk. It is worth mentioning pilgrimage site of Homol with the Church of the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, a Baroque staircase, and with two chapels founded in 1692 by Countess Tereza Eleonor of Ugarte. Other tourist attractions in Orlické hory include several military fortifications that were built at the former Czech-German border in 1936-38 to defend against danger from fascist Germany. These include the Hanička artillery fortress, which is now open to the public as a museum, and the Bouda fortress, where guided tours take visitors through underground corridors and into the combat chambers. During your holiday trip you get to know and admire the natural beauty of this area. Either you are sport lover or lover of history and sights, or just a tourist looking for comfort and relaxation, then Orlické hory in the Czech Republic are really suitable for you!
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