Hejnice U Žamberka: Trails, Landscape and History

Hejnice U Žamberka is defined by distinctive elevations, hiking and cycling trails, and traces of history. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, these themes can help you plan your destination: landscape and views, hiking or cycling, and local history each offer a different focus. This can help you consider in advance which focus suits your trip.

Elevations and views

With its 538 m summit, Kozinec forms the eastern boundary of the upper part of Hejnice. The 520 m-high Pilátka separates Hejnice from the settlement of Křižánky. The two elevations therefore serve different purposes: Kozinec marks a boundary of the upper part of the village, while Pilátka separates Hejnice from Křižánky. The views also offer distinct perspectives. From Humperk, you can see Hejnice to the south. From Kozinec, the hill Žampach lies to the south, with the ruins of Lanšperk Castle beyond it. The view of the village and the sight of the hill and castle ruins therefore offer different landscape impressions. If you like to take specific points in the terrain into account when choosing a destination, elevation, location and viewing direction provide useful reference points.

The Hejnický potok and its source streams

The Hejnický potok has two source streams, whose courses pass through different parts of the surrounding area. One rises near Záleských No. 55, flows through Pustina and feeds a small pond there. The second source stream rises below Smetka, flows through the upper part of the village and joins the first in the village centre. The reference points differ: for the first source stream, they are Pustina and the pond; for the second, the upper part of the village and the confluence in the centre. Thus, the stream’s course, as well as the elevations, shapes the character of Hejnice.

Hiking and cycling

When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between cycling and hiking routes. Cycling route CT 4072 runs through the municipality of Hejnice. On the “Cesta Dr. J. S. Gutha-Jarkovského” hiking trail, Hejnice appears as a landmark after 24 km. Another hiking route, “Žamberk – Žampach – Litice nad Orlicí”, leads to Hejnice across fields and through the forest. Each route has different features: CT 4072 is a cycling route through the municipality; on the first hiking trail, Hejnice is named as a landmark after 24 km; and the second hiking route crosses fields and forest. The 24 km figure refers to this hiking trail, not the cycling route. This can help you decide what to focus on when looking for a hotel, without treating the different routes as the same.

Local history and historical traces

The first written record of Hejnice dates from the 15th century. In the past, the village belonged to the Žampašské estate. In the direction of Písečná lies the district of Vápenka, which is associated with the former quarrying of limestone and the burning of lime. Hejnice is also home to the Chapel of Saint Anthony of Padua. These features represent different aspects of the village: its former affiliation, lime production in Vápenka and a specific religious building.

Křižánky has its own historical chronology. The first written record of the settlement dates from 1376. In 1697, the original farm was divided into five parts, after which five homesteads were established. The two dates mark different developments: 1376 is the first written record, while 1697 marks the division of a farm and the creation of five homesteads. In chronological terms, Křižánky’s 1376 record predates the first written record of Hejnice, which dates from the 15th century; the division of the farm in 1697 is an additional milestone for Křižánky. Pilátka, which separates Hejnice from Křižánky, also gives this historical comparison a concrete geographical reference.

Discover more destinations: Strážná, Těchonín, Kosořín, Lukavice, Helvíkovice, Mostek, Žampach, Voděrady

For the wider travel overview: Okres Ústí Nad Orlicí.