Hukvaldy

Hukvaldy combines a striking castle ruin, an extensive game reserve and the musical history of Leoš Janáček into a destination offering an unusual number of opportunities for discovery. Here, you can combine short circular walks, longer themed routes, nature observation and cultural visits. When choosing accommodation, it is worth considering whether you mainly want to explore the paths through the game reserve, the castle and places associated with Janáček, or whether you would also like to reach destinations in the surrounding area by bicycle.

The Natural Area Around the Castle Ruin

The Hukvaldy game reserve lies around the Hukvaldy castle ruin, covers 440 hectares and includes a 220-hectare area designated as a European protected area. In the game reserve, which is open year-round, you can observe fallow deer and mouflon. The bronze statue of the vixen Bystrouška forms a special connection between nature and literature. It was erected in June 1959 to commemorate the premiere of Janáček’s opera “The Cunning Little Vixen” (“Příhody lišky Bystroušky”).

Hradní vrch Hukvaldy was designated a natural monument in 1999. The 77-hectare protected area preserves beech stands and the landscape design of the historic game reserve. Those who would first like to get to know the surroundings in a compact format can follow the Hradní vrch educational trail, a 2-kilometre circular route. It begins in the square in Hukvaldy, passes through the game reserve gate to the castle ruin and then returns.

Janáček, the Castle and Culture

Hukvaldy Castle serves as a centre of cultural life. Its grounds and the adjacent game reserve host Janáček’s Hukvaldy international music festival every year. The castle is open to the public from April to October. The Leoš Janáček Memorial offers a personal insight into the composer: the reception room, bedroom and kitchen have been preserved in the condition they were in during Janáček’s lifetime.

The Church of Saint Maximilian in Hukvaldy can also be visited. Leoš Janáček played the organ there. Another themed stop is Hukvaldský Stonehenge, a rest area by a weir with symbolically arranged stones connected with the work of Leoš Janáček. This site also features the interactive acoustic element Dendrafon. At Hostinec U Štamgastů, you can taste local Hukvaldy yeast beer.

Routes for Different Excursion Ideas

For a longer route focused on information, the educational circular trail “Leoš Janáček očima dětí” is available. It is 8.3 kilometres long and has 13 information boards about Leoš Janáček, Hukvaldy and Dolní Sklenov. Most of the trail can be covered by bicycle or with a sports stroller. This clearly distinguishes the route from the shorter Hradní vrch circular trail and gives it a different focus on local and musical history.

The “Okolo Hukvald” route begins and ends at Leoš Janáček’s birthplace and is 8.6 kilometres long. Cyclists can also take the 9.5-kilometre cycle loop 6001 “Hukvaldy–Kopřivnice–Příbor”. It is suitable for trekking bikes and mountain bikes and provides access to the Větřkovice Reservoir from the direction of Hukvaldy and Příbor.

Further Discoveries in Hukvaldy

Tropic Hukvaldy features an Asian garden, tropical greenhouses with exotic plants and animals, and a seasonal exhibition of live butterflies. A direct bus connection from Ostrava stops at the “Hukvaldy, hotel” bus stop. Other destinations you can discover on the portal include Navsi, Řeka, Kunčice pod Ondřejníkem, Horní Domaslavice, Ropice, Komorní Lhotka, Bílá and Vendryně.

To the main travel overview: Frýdek-Místek District.