Paseka: Nature, Waterfalls and Culture

Paseka’s distinctive features include nature, sacred architectural history and a range of leisure activities. These include the Pasecké Waterfalls and the Makču Pikču Arboretum, as well as a landscape park, chapels and the Church of St. Kunhuta. A natural swimming biotope with seasonal refreshments, a skatepark and an official hiking route round out the options. This lets you tailor your trip to landscapes, culture or activity: options range from a 17 km hiking route to individual buildings and parks.

Landscapes and Green Spaces

The Pasecké Waterfalls lie at the end of Paseka, where the Hornomoravský úval meets the deeply incised Pasecký žleb. The Teplička stream cascades over several rock ledges here, and the waterfall has a total height of about five metres. An observation pavilion stands directly above the rapids. Together, the watercourse, ledges and height form a clearly defined landscape feature: as well as its approximate height, the sequence of rock formations also shapes the impression made by the waterfalls.

The Makču Pikču Arboretum is located between the municipality of Paseka and the medieval Sovinec Castle. Its features include rock gardens, ponds with ornamental fish, an artificial canyon and numerous plants from around the world. Individual plantings may change. In contrast to the Teplička’s rock ledges, the focus here is on landscaped features and plant diversity—another nature-focused option for planning your trip.

Below the Paseka sanatorium lies an extensive landscape park with notable tree species. The park and the chapel below the sanatorium are open to the public at all times and are used for walks and recreation. The tree species and landscaped grounds offer a different perspective on Paseka’s greenery from the waterfalls or the arboretum.

Hiking and Leisure Activities

An official hiking route is 17 km long and runs from Šternberk via Řídeč and Paseka to Karlov and Sovinec Castle. The places named define the route’s sequence and position Paseka within a longer hike. If you plan to follow the route, check the current trail conditions, as they may change.

The Paseka natural swimming biotope and its refreshments are open during the summer season. If you plan to include a visit in your itinerary, the season is an important consideration. The swimming area and refreshments are described together as a seasonal offering.

Paseka Skatepark is an approximately 600 m² reinforced-concrete facility with ramps, stairs, a shallow bowl, boxes and rails. The facility’s exact layout may change. Its various features make the skatepark a different kind of leisure activity from the hiking route: here, the focus is on individual features of a facility, while the route links several places along its course.

Sacred Architectural History in Paseka

The Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a modern block-style building for sacred purposes. It was built between 1914 and 1917. Another architectural landmark is the present-day Church of St. Kunhuta: the oldest part of the church is the core of its prismatic tower, which dates from the Late Gothic period. The construction dates allow a direct comparison between the Late Gothic tower core and the chapel, built in the early 20th century.

Visitors can visit the forest chapel in Paseka independently; a key can be borrowed in the eighth ward. Since the previous year, Mass has regularly been celebrated there on 14 September, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. If you would like to include Mass in your trip plans, check the exact date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Krčmaň, Náklo, Uničov, Majetín, Velký Týnec, Libavá, Grygov, Hněvotín

For the broader travel overview: Olomouc District.