In Hřibojedy, you can choose an outing by asking one clear question: would you like to focus on Braunův Betlém and a short circular walk, or would you prefer a longer walking route? Ten of the original 26 figurative sculptures have survived at the monument. Route descriptions also mention access from Žireč and Kuks, as well as a route continuing to Hospital Kuks. Starting points, destinations and distances differ; the descriptions therefore do not refer to a single continuous circular route.
Braunův Betlém and its surviving sculptures
The ten surviving figures can be compared with the original total of 26. This number helps put the extent of the surviving ensemble into perspective without equating what remains today with the original collection. Information boards along the visitor path by the surviving sculptures provide useful details. This combines viewing the figures with additional information along the way. If you are mainly interested in the figurative ensemble, you can make this cultural highlight the starting point for planning your day.
The circular walk near Hřibojedy
The Lesní naučná stezka v Hřibojedech (Forest Educational Trail in Hřibojedy) starts at the car park by Braunův Betlém and forms a circular route of about 800 metres. At this length, it is the shortest of the route options described here. As a circular walk, it differs from routes leading to Betlém from a train station or from Kuks, or continuing beyond it. If you are looking for a manageable route described as a loop, this distance is a useful point of comparison. Its approximate length can also be clearly distinguished from the kilometres covered by the longer routes.
Routes to Betlém and onwards to Kuks
A yellow-marked walking path leads from Žireč station to Betlém, a distance of over one kilometre. This route starts at the station, whereas the circular walk of about 800 metres starts at the car park by Braunův Betlém. These descriptions therefore refer to two different options: a walk to a destination and a loop at the monument.
A red-marked KČT trail leads from Kuks via Šporkovský mlýn in Stanovice to Braunův Betlém, covering 3.5 kilometres. For a continuation, the Půjdem spolu do Betléma educational trail describes the route from Betlém to Hospital Kuks: it first follows red-marked trails, then yellow-marked trails, over 3 kilometres. The routes have different starting and ending points. One description ends at Betlém, the other at Hospital Kuks; when choosing, therefore, consider not only the distance in kilometres but also your preferred destination.
You can focus your outing either on the circular walk at the monument or on one of the named walking routes. The sculptures and information boards give the visit a cultural focus; the longer routes offer a different kind of walk, each with a specified destination. Check the trail markings and distances again before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Černý Důl, Velká Úpa, Cermná U Vrchlabí, Starobucke Debrne, Dvůr Králové Nad Labem, Dolní Malá Úpa, Klášterská Lhota, Dolni Lanov.
View the broader travel overview: Okres Trutnov.
