The floodplains of the Tichá Orlice and Divoká Orlice shape the cadastral area of Žďár nad Orlicí. Cycling routes pass through the municipality, and the Orlice waterways are often used for water sports. Nature, cycling and local history offer different ways to spend your stay. Which ones you combine depends on your planned activities and how you travel.
River Floodplains and Protected Landscape
The cadastral area of Žďár nad Orlicí lies in the floodplain landscape of the Tichá Orlice and Divoká Orlice. The Orlice Natural Monument also includes this cadastral area. It protects floodplain forests, wetlands, river reed beds, oxbow lakes, pools and various types of meadows. The protected habitats thus range from riverbanks to wet and open areas.
The Orlice Natural Park is also located in Žďár nad Orlicí. It protects rare river and floodplain ecosystems as well as the distinctive landscape character of the Orlice basin. The park was designated in 1996 along the Divoká Orlice and Tichá Orlice rivers and at their confluence into the Orlice. Its diverse wildlife includes various bird communities and the otter. The park is designated as a Natura 2000 site of European importance.
Cycling, Water Sports and Walking Routes
Cycling route 4161 between Podlesí and Moravsko passes through the municipality. Cycling route 4163 between Borohrádek and Nová Ves also runs through it. Before setting off, check the current signage and surface conditions on these routes.
Another option is the 62-kilometre route “Via the confluence of the Tichá and Divoká Orlice rivers to the pilgrimage site of Homole,” which also passes through Žďár nad Orlicí. It is rated as moderately difficult. Its length and difficulty provide two concrete planning considerations; allow time and breaks according to your own pace.
The Orlice waterways are often used for water sports in the area. Cycling and water sports offer different kinds of activity; check the specific conditions for your plans before making arrangements. Outside the municipality, there are surfaced walking paths that provide access to the surrounding landscape. This lets you choose between cycling, water and walking routes based on the kind of stay you have planned, without combining the different options into a fixed itinerary.
Local History and Culture
Žďár nad Orlicí was first mentioned in writing in 1342. The place name derives from “žďářit,” a word for clearing land by cutting down and burning forest. This brings together an early written record and a linguistic origin that points to a historical form of land clearance.
A cross is one of the locally significant monuments in Žďár nad Orlicí. If you would like to visit it specifically, check its current condition beforehand. The local theatre may also be of interest when planning your stay: the Mošnův divadelní spolek regularly stages comedies at Hostinec Pod Kaštany. Check the current performance dates before visiting.
Planning Your Journey and Accommodation
The single-track, electrified railway line 026 between Choceň and Týniště nad Orlicí runs through the municipality. There is a railway stop at the western end of the village. If you plan to arrive by train, check the current timetable for your travel dates.
When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide on the focus of your stay and how you will travel. Then check the location of a specific listing using the information provided and compare it with your planned itinerary. A cycling trip, water sports or a theatre visit may each require different dates and arrangements.
Discover more destinations: Světlá, Pohoří, Rokytnice V Orlických Horách, Nebeská Rybná, Rohenice, Končiny, Jahodov, Bartosovice V Orlickych Horach.
Return to the main travel overview: Okres Rychnov Nad Kněžnou.
