Marked hiking trails, a longer cycling route, and places with their own architectural and literary history are among the defining themes of a stay in Slatina Nad Úpou. For planning, it helps to consider these as distinct highlights: the routes differ in mode of travel and length, while the buildings and stories offer reasons of their own to visit.
Hiking trails and a longer cycling route
The Justynčina stezka is a 7-kilometre circular hiking trail that follows marked walking routes. There are three information boards along the trail. They describe twelve points of interest relating to nature, culture and local sights. Those who would like to explore local themes while hiking will find guidance along the route.
Another walking route is the medieval educational trail Po stopách erbu zlatého třmene. It runs partly through the area of Slatina Nad Úpou and has five stops. Its designation as a medieval educational trail gives it a different theme from the Justynčina stezka.
For cycling, the KČT cycling route No. 4018, the Okruh Boženy Němcové, is a 38-kilometre circular route in the area. It is considered moderately difficult and has numerous stops. The two circular routes can therefore be clearly distinguished by activity and length: the Justynčina stezka is a 7-kilometre hiking route, while the Okruh Boženy Němcové is a 38-kilometre cycling route.
Buildings and historic waymarkers
The Slatinská zvonice is a wooden log structure with a square floor plan. It stands on higher ground in the centre of the village, near the municipal office, has retained its original form and is documented from 1682. Prince Piccolomini had it built. Its location and preserved design offer a tangible insight into local architectural history.
In Boušín, a district of Slatina Nad Úpou in the Náchod District, stands the Church of Navštívení Panny Marie. It was built between 1682 and 1692 at the expense of Prince Lorenzo Piccolomini, replacing an older wooden church. The building is a single-nave, oriented Baroque church without a tower. A small path leads downhill from the church to the Kaple Panny Marie chapel with the Boušínská studánka spring.
The Mariánský sloup in Slatina Nad Úpou is also a local cultural monument; it is registered under number 1875. Another historic waymarker is the Bathildis Strasse. Large sandstone stones mark it at three points: at the beginning and end, the inscriptions “BATHILDIS STRASSE ….. SILNICE BATHILDY” are carved with an arrow. In the middle, the inscription reads “BATHILDIS PLATZ ….. STÁNEK BATHILDY”.
Boušín: Local history and stories
Boušínská samota is considered the oldest place in the municipality of Slatina Nad Úpou. Its features include a church, a rectory, a cemetery, several holiday homes, and a chapel with a spring. Together, these offer a range of historical elements that can be considered in the context of the area’s history.
Boušín is a pilgrimage settlement associated with the story of the miraculous healing of a deaf-mute girl. Božena Němcová recorded this story in her work Babička. As a tale, it is one of the literary connections of the place.
The Justynčina stezka is also linked to a historical story about Justynka, a Jewish girl from Hronov. She was sent to Boušín in 1823 to prepare for conversion to the Catholic Church and was later baptised there. This story provides another cultural connection to the region; it should not be taken as a statement about the route of the trail.
Plan your stay around your interests
When looking for a holiday apartment, your preferred focus can help guide your choice: would you like to spend most of your time hiking or cycling, or are buildings and the stories of Boušín your main interest? This decision can help you tailor your stay to your interests, without needing to combine the different routes into a single itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Rasošky, Slavětín Nad Metují, Vernerovice, Hynčice, Jasenná, Hejtmánkovice, Sendraž, Nahořany Nad Metují
For the main travel overview: Náchod District.
