The central plains in the Pardubice region give way to the dramatic peaks of the Eagle Mountains and the massif of Kralický Sněžník. You are in an area famous for its horse breeding traditions and sweet gingerbread. The landscape is dotted with grand stud farms where rare white horses have been raised for centuries. Flat river paths along the Elbe are perfect for a relaxed start before heading into the hills. Watch the elegant white stallions gallop across the green meadows of Kladruby nad Labem. The scent of spice and honey fills the air in the town squares where gingerbread has been baked for over five hundred years.
The massive Kunětická Hora Castle sits alone on a volcanic hill overlooking the entire region. Further south the iron and stone towers of the Litomyšl chateau feature walls covered in intricate scratched art. You can visit the mountain resort of Dolní Morava to walk across a massive suspension bridge hanging high above a valley. The area is packed with military bunkers built into the mountain slopes. The Sky Walk tower allows you to stand above the clouds and see the border ridges stretching into the distance. Small rivers wind through the landscape providing a home for thousands of swans and wild ducks.
This is a region of speed and grace where horse racing and high mountain hiking meet. You can find quiet roads through birch forests or visit old watermills along the rivers. The local towns are filled with colorful squares and historic clock towers. It offers a mix of gentle river life and high adrenaline mountain bridges for every type of traveler. Explore the red brick architecture of the old industrial mills that have been turned into modern galleries. The roads through the Eagle Mountains are narrow and offer a secluded drive through some of the quietest forests in the land.
Pardubice (region) highlights
- Kunětická Hora: This castle sits alone on a massive volcanic hill and dominates the flat landscape of the central plains. It is a primary landmark for any Pardubice horse country road trip and offers a view of the distant mountains.
- Litomyšl Chateau: A site famous for its walls covered in thousands of sgraffito designs and a perfectly preserved baroque theater. The drive into the town takes you through a landscape of gentle hills and old stone bridges.
- Dolní Morava Sky Walk: Walk high above the clouds on this massive wooden structure that offers a view of the entire Eagle Mountains range. The area also features the longest suspension footbridge in the world for a high altitude thrill.
- Kladruby nad Labem: Visit the world famous National Stud where rare white Kladruber horses have been bred for centuries. The white stables and green pastures create a very elegant and peaceful landscape for a morning drive.
- Králický Sněžník: This mountain massif is the source of three different seas and offers rugged hiking and quiet border roads. The military history of the area is visible in the many bunkers built into the slopes.
- Veselý Kopec: This open air museum features traditional wooden houses and watermills that show how people lived in the highlands. It is a charming and quiet stop located in the heart of the Iron Mountains forest.
- Pastviny Reservoir: A beautiful lake tucked into the foothills of the Eagle Mountains with a massive stone bridge crossing the water. It is a popular spot for swimming and offers several scenic viewpoints along the shore road.
- Chrudim Puppet Museum: Located in a historic house, this museum celebrates the long Czech tradition of puppet making and theater. The town itself has a beautiful square and old narrow streets perfect for a quick walk.
- Potštejn Castle: This massive ruin sits on a steep hill and is surrounded by legends of hidden robber baron gold. The drive through the Orlice river valley to reach it is one of the Eagle Mountains scenic route highlights.
- Toulovcovy Maštale: These hidden rock labyrinths are made of red sandstone and are tucked away in a quiet pine forest. They are a great hidden gem for those looking to avoid the crowds of the larger rock cities.
The local Four
History of Pardubice (region)
The gentle landscape of the Pardubice region has been shaped by a centuries old love affair between man and the horse. Under the rule of the Pernštejn family the marshlands were drained and turned into grand estates and emerald green pastures specifically for the breeding of the royal Kladruber horses. This unique tradition created a landscape of white stables and long tree lined avenues that were designed to look as elegant as the carriages they once pulled.
Beyond the horse country the Eagle mountains form a natural border of quiet forests and deep river valleys that have protected the region for generations. During the middle ages this was a land of small fortresses and border guards who kept watch over the mountain passes leading into the northern plains. The roads here follow the natural curves of the Orlice river offering a peaceful driving experience through a countryside that has remained remarkably unchanged over time.
History in this part of the country is often felt in the simple rhythm of the rural landscape and the enduring legacy of traditional crafts like puppet making and gingerbread baking. It is a region of quiet sophistication where heritage sites sit in the middle of vast forests and old volcanic hills. A road trip through Pardubice is an invitation to slow down and appreciate the refined beauty of a land where nature and nobility have worked together for centuries.