Natural attractions in the Orlické Mountains and Podorlicko Lowlands

A total of 11 peaks of the Orlické Mountains reach a height of more than 1000 m. a. s. l., the highest, Velká Deštná (Rainy Hill) is 1 115 m high. The main ridge is complemented by deep and steep river valleys, originating in the Orlické Mountains – Divoká Orlice, Zdobnice, Říčka, Bělá, Kněžna, Olešenka and Zlatý potok (Golden Brook). The best preserved parts of nature are located in the sources of these rivers, further there are reservations of protected remains of the original deciduous forests – Trčkov, Bukačka, Sedloňovský vrch, Černý důl and Pod Vrchmezím. The main wood species in the forests however is spruce, which were cleared from the windward side slopes and peaks in particular in the 1980s. Nowadays there is not such a threat of ecological catastrophe and the extensive forests are again the largest assets of the Orlické Mountains. The particular beauty of this natural landscape complex is complemented by alpine and subalpine villages and hamlets, with sporadic traditional wooden architecture.

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Orlické hory – Bukačka (Orlické Mountains – Bukačka)

The so-called botanical gardens of the Orlické Mountains. Thanks to the rich occurrence of rare plants it is one of the most important national nature reservations in the Czech Republic. Over 50 hectares practically untouched by humans is protected an ancient scrubby beech forest.

http://www.cittadella.cz/europarc/index.php?p=index&site=NPR_bukacka_cz

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Orlické hory – CHKO (Orlické Mountains – Landscape Protected Area)

The protected landscape area is the highest part of the boundary ridge with deep valleys and picturesque scenery, and also remnants of the original nature areas and mountain meadows in places. The territory over an area of 203 km2 has been protected since 1969.

www.orlickehory.ochranaprirody.cz

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Orlické hory – Velká Deštná (Orlické Mountains – Rainy Hill)

Slopes of the rounded elongated ridge of the Orlické Mountains (1 115 m) tail away to the Orlickozáhorské brázdy (Orlickozáhorské furrows) and to the valleys of Bělá and Zdobnice. Moor plants thrive in a passage of upland moorlands of Jelení lázeň (Deer Spa) between Malá and Velká Deštná.

www.tisicovky.cz

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Orlické hory – Zemská brána (Orlické Mountains – Land Gate)

The romantic valley enclosed by large gneiss rocks, has a convenient name, here the Divoká Orlice passes through the main ridge of the Orlické Mountains and finally enters into the Czech Republic. The several-mile-long valley with a rocky watercourse is a nature reservation.

www.zemska-brana.ceskehory.cz

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Divoká Orlice (Wild Orlice) River

The source is in the moorlands of Topielisko and Czarne Bagno, 30 km of the river make up the Czech-Polish border. After passing through Zemská brána (Land Gate) it forms the “Wild” Orlice, a meandering rocky subalpine river, which is protected in the largest Czech nature park.

www.orlickehory.net

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Říčka Bělá (Bělá Stream)

One of the rivers that has its source in the Orlické Mountains. The wild mountain stream flows through a picturesque valley, and discharges to the Divoká Orlice River. In Častolovice it is separated by a 17 km long man-made channel called the Alba, built in the Middle Ages, which flows to Třebechovice.

www.alba.hu.cz

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Řeka Zdobnice (Zdobnice River)

Sourcing at an altitude of 1 029 m above the seal level, below Maruše. In the most mountainous section the river flows with a large drop through an enclosed forested valley in a narrow rocky channel with pretty rapids. Romantic coves are formed in the channel in the areas of Pěčín, Slatina and Rybné nad Zdobnicí.

www.orlickehory.net

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Trčkov

A national nature reserve is the most well-preserved area of the original composition of the Orlické Mountains, approx. 180 year old mountain forest. The valuable territory at an elevation of 900 m. a. s. l. owes its good state mainly to its location on the “reverse” side of the mountain.

www.region-orlickehory.cz

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