Giant mountain peaks rise sharply to the north providing a dramatic backdrop for your journey. The Hradec Králové region is the land of the Krkonoše range where the highest summit in the country touches the clouds. You can walk among massive sandstone pillars in the Adršpach rock cities where narrow paths wind through cold stone towers. Waterfalls tumble down rocky slopes into crystal clear mountain streams. The road to the Peak of Sněžka offers views that span across the entire northern border into the distant plains. Ancient legends of mountain giants are still told in the cozy timber lodges that sit high above the tree line.
Rich fertile lowlands spread out south of the mountains filled with grand manor houses and military history. The massive fortress at Josefov features miles of dark underground corridors for you to explore. Grand white chateaus like Hrádek u Nechanic look like they were plucked straight from an English countryside. Large safari parks and quiet forest trails offer plenty of variety for your daily stops. Visit the riverside towns where old stone bridges cross the Elbe under the shadow of massive cathedral domes. The terrain is dotted with small craft shops where artisans still carve traditional wooden toys by hand.
Traditional folk culture remains strong in the mountain villages where wooden timber houses line the roads. You can find local glass workshops and mountain huts serving hearty potato soup. The terrain is perfect for those who love high views and fresh mountain breezes. It provides a mix of nature and sophisticated history that keeps every mile of the trip exciting. Drive through the narrow mountain passes where the rock walls lean over the road in a dramatic display of stone. Every valley has its own small chapel with a bell that rings out across the silent pine forests at noon.
Hradec Králové (region) highlights
- Adršpach Rock City: These massive sandstone towers and narrow stone labyrinths offer an otherworldly experience for hikers and drivers alike. The road leading to the park entrance winds through beautiful pine forests and quiet mountain villages.
- Sněžka Mountain: Reach the highest point in the country by taking a cable car or hiking from the mountain town of Pec pod Sněžkou. The views from the top span across the entire northern border and into the distant plains of Poland.
- Kuks Hospital: This baroque masterpiece features a grand staircase and a gallery of statues representing human virtues and vices. It sits in a quiet river valley and is a primary highlight of any Krkonoše mountain road trip.
- Josefov Fortress: Explore the massive underground labyrinth of this eighteenth century military town built to protect the northern borders. The dark brick tunnels and high defensive walls are a fascinating stop for history and architecture fans.
- Safari Park Dvůr Králové: This unique zoo allows you to drive your own car through a large enclosure filled with roaming African animals. It is one of the most popular family stops in the region and offers a true safari experience.
- Broumov Monastery: A massive baroque complex with a beautiful library and a rare copy of the Shroud of Turin hidden inside. The surrounding Broumov Walls offer dramatic rock formations and scenic overlooks just a short drive away.
- Přehrada Les Království: This dam looks like something from a fairy tale with its ornate stone towers and forest surroundings. It is often cited as the most beautiful dam in the country and is a perfect spot for a scenic picnic.
- Ratibořice Valley: Known as Grandmother’s Valley, this peaceful area features a charming chateau and old watermills along a quiet stream. It is a gentle landscape that inspired famous Czech literature and offers very relaxed driving.
- Pecka Castle: This ruin offers great views of the central mountains and holds many legends of hidden treasures and medieval knights. The small town below has a quiet charm and serves as a great base for exploring the foothills.
- Hrádek u Nechanic: This romantic chateau was built in the style of an English manor and features a large golf course and park. The brick architecture and red towers make it stand out against the green landscape of the lowlands.
The local Four
History of Hradec Králové (region)
High above the northern plains the peaks of the Krkonoše mountains have long been the home of legends and the guardian of the kingdom's borders. For centuries mountain dwellers lived in isolated timber cottages surviving on what the rugged alpine terrain could provide while weaving tales of the mountain spirit Krakonoš. This high altitude wilderness became a cradle of early tourism as pioneers climbed the steep ridges to witness the sunrise over the misty Czech Matterhorn.
In the valleys below the landscape was transformed into a masterpiece of baroque drama by ambitious noblemen who wanted to create a paradise on earth. Count Špork built the grand Kuks hospital as a sanctuary for veterans surrounding it with incredible stone statues that represent the constant battle between human virtue and vice. Driving through these river valleys reveals a striking contrast between the wild power of nature and the refined elegance of the eighteenth century.
The strategic importance of this region led to the construction of massive defensive works like the Josefov fortress designed to stop invading armies with its labyrinth of brick tunnels. These military marvels sit alongside fairy tale rock cities where wind and water have carved sandstone into towering pillars and narrow labyrinths. It is a region where the history of human engineering meets the timeless beauty of a landscape that feels like it belongs in a book of old folk tales.