Podkost – Kost Castle, Plakánek Valley and Hiking Routes

Podkost between Kost Castle and Plakánek Valley

Podkost combines a historic village with distinctive trails and landscapes around Kost Castle. The village lies below the castle; Kost Castle, at Podkost 1, stands on a massive sandstone spur in a wooded valley and is considered the best-preserved Gothic castle in Bohemia. This creates a destination where hiking trails, nature-related attractions and cultural monuments can be planned together.

Hiking with different focuses

The “Okolo Sobotky z Libošovic” route is 10.6 kilometres long and is considered moderately difficult. It leads through Podkost, on to Kost Castle and into Plakánek Valley. It runs mainly along forest and field paths, with a smaller section on third-class roads. Another option is the circular route from Kost Castle: it starts and ends in Podkost, is 20 kilometres long and moderately difficult. Along the way there are several steep ascents and descents; the circular route follows red- and green-marked hiking trails. This allows you to distinguish between the two routes by their length, course and documented requirements.

Sandstone, forest and protected nature

Plakánek Valley lies near Kost Castle, between sandstone rocks and coniferous forests by Obora Pond. An educational trail runs between the rocks and along the Klenice; information panels explain the local history, geology and natural processes. In 2020, a section of the hiking trail was stabilised with a boardwalk at a particularly waterlogged spot. The Údolí Plakánek protected area also protects caves that are inaccessible to the public and the rare fern bristle fern (Trichomanes speciosum). The Natura 2000 site covers areas in the cadastral district of Podkost and overlaps with the nature reserve of the same name.

Castle and village history

Podkost itself also bears traces of its history. According to surviving accounts, the village was founded in 1636. A former cooper’s workshop has been preserved in house no. 8; historic craft buildings in Podkost served to supply Kost Castle and its brewery. At the castle, the White Tower stands out for its irregular trapezoidal ground plan. From a particular viewpoint, all four edges can be seen at the same time.

Kost Castle offers four different tours: one focusing on the Kinský family, one on the mystery of the medieval torture chamber, a combined tour of the Kinský family and the torture chamber, and a shortened route for visitors with little time. This allows you to choose the cultural focus that best suits your daily itinerary. If you are looking for accommodation in Podkost, you can base your choice on your priorities: the hikes described pass through the village or start and end there, while the castle and valley add their own cultural and natural attractions.

Further destinations in this selection: Staré Místo, Sukorady, Kostelec, Vidochov, Veliš U Jičína, Brdy, Vitiněves, Budčeves.

To the higher-level travel overview: Jičín District.