Hovězí lies in the valley of the Vsetínská Bečva and its tributaries, the Hořanský and Hovízský streams. Mount Filka rises to 769 m south of the village. The combination of river landscapes, marked trails and religious buildings and monuments gives you several ways to plan your trip. First decide whether you want to allow more time for hiking and cycling, local history or regional events.
Hiking and cycling with clear route details
A yellow-marked route leads from Hovězí railway station to Filka: it is 5.5 km long and climbs 340 m. The distance and elevation gain give you two concrete points to consider when planning your day. Marked hiking and cycling trails also lead from Hovězí, as do cross-country ski trails in winter. Check the trail conditions locally before setting out, as signage and conditions may change.
When cycling, it is also worth checking the stated distance for each route. A 51 km route passes through Vsetín, Ústí, Hovězí, Huslenky, Halenkov, Nový Hrozenkov, Karolinka, Velké Karlovice, Miloňov, Třeštík, Bařiny and Martinák. The Vsetínská Bečva section runs mostly along a cycle path closed to motor traffic. The approximately 30 km section between Vsetín and Velké Karlovice is also suitable for inline skating. This lets you distinguish between routes that pass through several towns and the riverside cycle path section when planning your trip.
Church and historic monuments
The church in Hovězí was built of masonry in 1734, replacing an older wooden church; its tower was initially made of wood. In 1891, it was replaced with a masonry tower after the sound of the bells had made the wooden tower unstable. A stone Baroque cross dating from 1792 stands right beside the church.
A statue of St John of Nepomuk, dating from 1776, stands in the village square. The Calvary group depicts the Virgin Mary and St John; it was moved from Olomouc to Hovězí in 1858. These dates place the monuments in chronological order: from the construction of the church to the statue and cross in the 18th century, and then the transfer of the group in the 19th century.
Events and regional specialties
Events in Hovězí include a brass band showcase, a regional theatre showcase and a two-day showcase of ensembles from across Horní Vsacko. These offer a concrete alternative to a trip focused solely on trails and landscapes: you can also plan your stay around music or theatre. If you want a particular event to determine your travel dates, check its schedule in advance. Local traditions also include a masked procession with a bear, which brings a firemen’s ball to a close with the ceremonial burial of the double bass.
The Kateřinský Fair combines market stalls, a traditional pig slaughter and food with the characters Lucky and the Devil, a cultural programme and demonstrations of folk crafts. Wine and slivovitz tastings are also available to visitors. Refreshments are offered in Hovězí at the weir by the Koliba on the Bečva Bevlava Bečva route; check in advance whether they will be available during your visit.
Plan a stay that suits you
For a trip to Filka, you can factor the distance and climb into your day’s plans; for an event, its date is key. If you want to combine several interests, you can weigh the historic buildings and monuments against events scheduled for specific dates. Then compare the details of specific hotel offers to find one that fits your plans.
Discover more destinations: Jarcová, Valašské Příkazy, Ústí U Vsetína, Zdechov, Hošťálková, Seninka, Janová, Novy Hrozenkov
For the overview of the wider region: Okres Vsetín.
