Rovná: Valley, Hiking and Local History

Rovná in the Jelenka Valley

Rovná lies in a relatively flat valley of the Jelenka River and is a natural part of the Strážovsko landscape. The combination of the valley, mountain scenery and rural local history makes the village interesting for visitors who want to discover the beauty and traditions of the Czech countryside. The valley and the surrounding mountains offer different perspectives on the landscape and its rural character. You can therefore get to know the village in different ways: through the valley, along a path through Rovná or by following its historical traces. The relatively flat shape of the valley creates a different accent from the mountains in the surrounding area. The valley and local history offer two different approaches: a landscape experience and cultural discovery can be combined in the same place.

Landscape and destinations in the surrounding region

Mount Úliště [Javor - Loučany] is located in the vicinity of Rovná. The mountains Jezvinec, Můstek and Lovečná are also located in the surrounding area. The different names give you several landscape reference points for further planning, without implying any specific route or level of difficulty. For planning purposes, you can distinguish between the mountains in the surrounding area and the zoo farther afield in the region. The Bayerwald-Tierpark Lohberg zoo is also located in the wider regional surroundings of Rovná.

Hiking through Rovná

A green-marked hiking trail passes through Rovná. An 18.5-kilometre hiking route also passes through Rovná. Its length provides a clear route framework for planning a day trip.

Local history and historical names

Rovná was first mentioned in writing in 1379 under the name “Rowna”. The historical forms “Ruwna”, “Růvná” and “Růvno” are also recorded for the village. “Růvná” remains a local name for Rovná to this day. This history of the name gives the village a clearly recognisable historical depth, which can already be traced through the development of its names. Another historical trace is the Dvorecký mlýn, which stands on the site of a former fortress.

Cultural orientation and access

The historic centre of Strážov has been designated an urban heritage conservation zone since 2003. This is a specific cultural reference point for you if townscapes and regional history are among your desired travel experiences. Road III/1712 branches off Road II/171 and leads to Rovná. For orientation when travelling there, you can use the connection between II/171 and III/1712 as a reference. When looking for a hotel in Rovná, you can therefore first decide whether the focus of your stay should be on the Jelenka Valley, hiking, historical name references or the region’s cultural connections.

Discover more places

If you would like to research another place besides Rovná, you can also visit Krotějov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Strážov.