Discover Mladkov

Mladkov offers several starting points for planning your trip: a long-distance hiking trail passes through the village, an educational trail begins and ends in the centre, and historic buildings provide their own points of interest. There is also a named ascent on the Mladkovské výhledy route, a climbing area on the edge of the village, and a cycling route starting at the Czech-Polish border crossing. Depending on whether you are more interested in hiking, climbing, or border and architectural history, you can focus on different aspects.

Hiking and routes in Mladkov

The Jiráskova horská cesta long-distance hiking trail runs through Mladkov. From Zemská brána, it leads via the hut on Adam and Mladkov to Vysoký kámen and continues to Suchý vrch. This sequence of named places gives you a clear idea of the long-distance trail’s course.

The Betonová hranice educational trail offers a different focus: it begins and ends in the centre of Mladkov and features 23 information panels. They cover the construction, purpose, history and fate of the Czechoslovak border fortifications. If you would like to include a specific historical subject in your hike, this route has a clear connection to the area and covers named topics.

The ascent on the Mladkovské výhledy route is also relevant when planning your day. Over a relatively short stretch, the route gains 260 metres in elevation from the starting point. Factor in this elevation gain when planning the route alongside other activities.

Climbing and cycling

The Mladkov climbing area lies on the edge of the village, on a valley slope above the Tichá Orlice. The rocks are made of gneiss. The area’s location and rock type are specific features that can help climbers find their way around.

Mariánská skála is about 12 metres high and has more than 20 climbing routes, ranging from medium to very high difficulty. The stated difficulty range therefore spans from medium to very challenging routes. As the routes and conditions may change, check these details before climbing.

For cyclists, the Tmavěmodrá PL/CZ route has a named starting point: it begins at the Czech-Polish border crossing near Mladkov. Local route conditions may change; take this into account when planning and check conditions before setting out.

Border history at the boundary ash tree

At Mladkov’s tourist crossing to its Polish neighbours stands the boundary ash tree, which has been growing since 1581. It marked the border between the estates of Zdeněk Valdštejn and Michael von Tschirnhaus. The ash tree is therefore not only a natural feature of the site, but also a specific point of reference for the area’s border history.

The site is accessible by car. A car park and a tourist rest area have been set up nearby. Check the current status of the facilities before setting out.

Church and historic buildings

Mladkov’s most prominent landmark is the early Baroque Church of St John the Baptist, built at the end of the 17th century. The single-nave building has a polygonal presbytery and a square tower on the west façade. A stone portal dated 1736 is on the west tower; a stone statue of St John the Baptist with a lamb stands in a niche. These architectural features give the church its distinctive appearance and connect it to a specific date.

A statue of St John of Nepomuk stands next to the church. Another landmark is the Marian column in the western part of Mladkov Square. If you are interested in local buildings and memorials, you can distinguish these monuments by their respective locations: the church, its immediate surroundings, and the square.

Discover more destinations: Verměřovice, Horní Hermanice V Cechách, Lubník, Dolní Morava, Horní Třešňovec, Sudislav Nad Orlicí, Jamne Nad Orlici, Šedivec.

View the broader travel guide: Okres Ústí Nad Orlicí.