Horka U Staré Paky: Panorama and Transport History

Horka U Staré Paky lies 503 metres above sea level and offers open views across the panorama of the entire Giant Mountains. The town’s history includes its beginnings as a resting place and transshipment point, a protected signpost, and the story of a product once known throughout Austria. The landscape, transport history, and hiking route offer different points of interest for planning your trip.

Founded to Serve the Movement of Goods

Horka U Staré Paky was established in 1823 at a crossroads as a resting place and transshipment point for goods. Carters from Vrchlabí, Trutnov, Broumov, Rokytnice, and Nový Svět travelled via Horka to Brno and Prague and back. The town’s founding therefore served two purposes: a rest stop for carters and a place to transfer goods. The first building at the crossroads was the Formanka inn, with large stables. The inn was very well known in the region. Formanka thus links the town’s early history to the resting place that Horka was established to provide.

A Signpost as a Monument

The protected stone signpost with a kilometre marker documents the history of Horka and road traffic in Czechoslovakia during the interwar period. About two metres high, the obelisk features raised directional inscriptions. It includes destination names, elevation information, and distances in kilometres. The combination of these details makes wayfinding the monument’s central feature: direction, destination, and distance are displayed together on a single object. The signpost thus connects a tangible form with the history of road traffic.

Panorama and Observation Tower

When it comes to the views, it is useful to distinguish between the two: Horka offers a panorama of the entire Giant Mountains, while the nearby 33-metre-high Kozinec u Vidochova observation tower offers views of the Giant Mountains and the Bohemian Paradise. The two viewpoints therefore differ: the Giant Mountains are the focus in Horka, while views of the Bohemian Paradise are also available from the tower. Check opening arrangements before visiting.

Hiking Route and Activities

The Borovnice–Kozinec–Nová Paka hiking route passes through the forest to the first houses in Horka U Staré Paky. The forest section and the named destination give a concrete idea of the route described. Trail conditions and markings may change; check them locally when planning your route.

A workout area beside the football pitch is another of the activities described. In 2023, a publicly accessible area there had pull-up bars, parallel bars, stall bars, and other simple equipment. The equipment is intended mainly for bodyweight exercises. Check its condition on site.

Culture and Product History

In 2024, Nedaříž’s former German elementary school housed a municipal cultural hall. The building was renovated between 2002 and 2004. If you are interested in an event, check the current programme in advance.

Bergerova-Zichorie chicory is also part of the town’s history. It became known throughout Austria as a product of the highest quality. This product history adds another historical connection to the themes of road traffic and wayfinding: the reputation of a product that was known beyond the region.

Discover more destinations: Vítkovice V Krkonoších, Libštát, Troskovice, Horni Branna, Roztoky U Semil, Ohrazenice, Burany, Bozkov.

For the wider travel overview: Okres Semily.