Hukvaldy: Castle, Game Reserve and Janáček

You can discover Hukvaldy through its castle, nature and culture associated with Leoš Janáček. The different circular routes, the castle’s seasonal opening and the game reserve’s year-round accessibility provide practical information for planning your trip. There are also individual cultural attractions and places to visit. This lets you focus your stay on a castle visit, music history, outdoor activities or nature, without combining the different places into a single route.

Landscape around the castle and game reserve

The Hukvaldy Game Reserve lies around the ruins of Hukvaldy Castle and covers 440 hectares. A 220-hectare section is designated as a European protected area. The Hradní vrch is a separate area: this 77-hectare site was designated a natural monument in 1999. This protection preserves the beech stands and the landscape design of the historic game reserve. The area figures refer to different protected areas and landscape features that shape Hukvaldy’s natural environment.

The castle and Janáček’s legacy

Hukvaldy Castle is a centre of cultural life. Every year, its grounds and the adjoining game reserve host the international Janáček’s Hukvaldy music festival. The annual programmes and venues may vary, so check the festival dates for the year of your trip. Even outside the festival dates, Hukvaldy has tangible connections to Janáček’s work. A bronze statue of the vixen Bystrouška in the game reserve commemorates the premiere of his opera “Příhody lišky Bystroušky” (“The Cunning Little Vixen”): it was erected in June 1959 for the occasion. The Leoš Janáček Memorial preserves the reception room, bedroom and kitchen as they were during the composer’s lifetime. Janáček played the organ in the Church of St. Maximilian in Hukvaldy, which is open to visitors. The season is important when planning a castle visit: the castle is open to the public from April to October. As opening arrangements can change, check the current schedule in advance.

Circular routes with different focuses

The routes differ in length, course and subject matter. The Hradní vrch educational trail is a two-kilometre circular route. It starts at the square in Hukvaldy, passes through the game reserve gate to the castle ruins and then returns. The “Leoš Janáček očima dětí” educational circular route is 8.3 kilometres long and has 13 information panels about Leoš Janáček, Hukvaldy and Dolní Sklenov. Most of this route can be covered by bicycle or with a jogging stroller. As the signage may change, it is worth checking the current route information before setting out. “Okolo Hukvald” is 8.6 kilometres long and starts and ends at Leoš Janáček’s birthplace. At two kilometres, the Hradní vrch educational trail is the shortest of the three routes; the other two are 8.3 and 8.6 kilometres long, respectively.

For those who want to explore by bike, another named option is cycle route 6001, “Hukvaldy–Kopřivnice–Příbor”. It is 9.5 kilometres long and suitable for trekking bikes and mountain bikes. The route gives cyclists access to the Větřkovice Reservoir from the direction of Hukvaldy and Příbor. Its connection to cycling and its stated destination distinguish it from the circular routes focused on Janáček.

Nature and other places to visit

Fallow deer and mouflons can be seen in the game reserve, which is open year-round. Another place to stop is Hukvaldský Stonehenge, located by a weir: the stones are arranged symbolically and are connected to the work of Leoš Janáček. The site also features the Dendrafon, an interactive sound installation. Tropic Hukvaldy combines an Asian garden with tropical greenhouses where exotic plants and animals can be seen. It also includes an exhibition of live butterflies, which is seasonal.

Getting there and local refreshments

A direct bus from Ostrava serves the Hukvaldy, hotel stop. As routes and timetables can change, check the current schedule for your journey. Visitors can sample local Hukvaldy yeast beer at Hostinec U Štamgastů. If you plan to visit, it is advisable to check whether tastings are currently available.

Discover more destinations: Dobratice, Lhotka, Milíkov U Jablunkova, Moravka, Krmelín, Hrádek Nad Olší, Bruzovice, Písečná U Jablunkova.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Frýdek-Místek.