In Mladkov, you can explore hiking trails, border history and historic buildings as different focal points for your stay. The long-distance Jiráskova horská cesta trail passes through the town: from Zemská brána via the Adam mountain hut and Mladkov to Vysoký kámen, then on to Suchý vrch.
Hiking trails with different focal points
The Betonová hranice educational trail starts and ends in the centre of Mladkov. Its 23 information panels cover the construction and purpose of the Czechoslovak border fortifications, as well as their history and fate. Its local setting and subject matter distinguish this trail from the long-distance route: here, the border fortifications are the focus. If you are interested in them, the panels let you explore these specific aspects in detail.
For the Mladkovské výhledy route, the elevation gain is an important factor when planning: over a relatively short stretch, the route climbs 260 metres from the starting point. If you compare routes by their elevation profiles, this is a specific figure to consider when making your choice.
The three hiking options therefore answer different questions: the Jiráskova horská cesta can be followed by its named waypoints, Betonová hranice by its content and its two endpoints in the town centre, and Mladkovské výhledy by the climb over a short stretch.
Church and historic buildings
Mladkov’s most prominent landmark is the early Baroque Church of St John the Baptist, built in the late 17th century. It is a single-nave building with a polygonal presbytery and a square tower on the west façade. These terms describe different parts of the building: the church interior, the chancel area and the western tower. The west tower has a stone portal dated 1736. A stone statue of St John the Baptist with a lamb stands in a niche.
Two other monuments are also useful landmarks in the town: a statue of St John of Nepomuk stands beside the church, while a Marian column is located in the western part of Mladkov Square. Together with the church, they offer several distinct historical points of interest: a religious building, a saint’s statue and a column.
Border tree, climbing and cycling
Another stop with historical significance is the Border Tree at the tourist crossing from Mladkov to its Polish neighbours. The ash tree has been growing since 1581 and marked the boundary between the estates of Zdeněk Valdštejn and Michael von Tschirnhaus. The site is accessible by car. A car park and a tourist rest area have been set up nearby. Check local conditions before setting out.
For climbing, Mariánská skála offers a specific point of reference: it is about 12 metres high and has more than 20 routes, ranging from moderate to very high difficulty. The number of routes and conditions can change, so check both before planning a climb. The Mladkov climbing area is described as a gneiss crag on a valley slope above the Tichá Orlice, on the edge of town.
Cyclists also have a named starting point: the Tmavěmodrá PL/CZ cycling route begins at the Czech-Polish border crossing near Mladkov. Local route conditions may change. In addition to hiking, climbing and cycling are therefore separate options to consider; their respective starting points, descriptions and conditions should be reviewed separately.
Discover more destinations: Plchovice, NemcĂ, Zamberk, Pustina, DolnĂ ÄŚermná, ÄŚeskĂ© HeĹ™manice, Ceská Rybná U Zamberka, Ĺ˝ampach.
For the wider travel overview: ĂšstĂ nad OrlicĂ District.
