Valašská Bystřice combines art and local history with views and distinctly mountainous terrain. In the centre, the Památník Marie Bognerové displays works by the artist; on Búřov, there is a small wooden lookout tower. For planning your trip, this gives you a clear choice between a culture-focused visit and routes where views and uphill climbs play a part.

Art and Local History

The Památník Marie Bognerové memorial is located in the former school in the centre of Valašská Bystřice. It displays the artist’s paintings, drawings and watercolours, as well as objects from her everyday life. The visit therefore brings together different kinds of artwork and personal everyday objects.

The Portáš graves in the local cemetery are a distinct historical feature. They are protected as a state cultural monument and stand in front of the Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The graves consist of two stone sarcophagi with carved crosses and inscriptions. In front of them stand sandstone slabs, about 15 cm thick, carved in the Baroque style with motifs of a skull and crossed bones.

The people commemorated here are also specifically identified: the right-hand grave holds the reeve of Velká Bystřice and Portáš lieutenant and commander Jiří Křenek, along with his son Ondřej Křenek, a Portáš corporal and blacksmith. The same monument thus brings together its architectural design and the history of the people buried there.

The wooden Zvonička na Kyčerách was built in 1997. Its bell rings every day at noon. If you want to time your visit specifically for the midday ringing, check the current schedule in advance.

Views, Routes and Terrain

There is a small wooden lookout tower on Búřov, offering views. Admission is free, and the tower is open to the public. The route there follows a marked hiking trail along a paved road and is accessible with a pushchair. At the same time, it involves a steep climb into the mountains. Keep both details in mind when assessing the route: a paved surface and pushchair access do not mean that it is flat.

The municipality of Valašská Bystřice has steep, mountainous terrain. The 43 km Portášská trasa also requires you to pay attention to the terrain when planning: it leads from Valašská Bystřice via a steep climb to Santov. Alternatively, it continues via Vsacký Cáb towards Dušná. The routes therefore have different features to consider: the steep climb matters on the way to the lookout tower, while the Portášská trasa also requires you to consider its length and the named onward routes.

Near Valašská Bystřice, the small Neo-Gothic Chapel of Pod Spinou stands at a crossroads of hiking trails leading from Valašská Bystřice to Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. It offers another landmark for travellers interested in religious buildings and is explicitly linked to these hiking trails.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Valašská Bystřice is accessible by car or bus. If you travel by bus, check the timetable before setting off. There is a car park in front of the information centre; check its availability before you arrive. This lets you prepare for your arrival and then choose activities based on your interest in art and history or in views and mountainous terrain.

Discover more destinations: Police, Jablůnka, Horní Bečva, Ratiboř u Vsetína, Rožnov, Karolinka, Prlov, Jarcová

For the broader travel overview: Vsetín District.