Discover Oldris: Riddle Walk and Building Heritage

Oldřiš lies in the valley of the Černý potok. The stream is one of the tributaries of the nearby Svratka, within the Morava river basin. You can plan your stay around different activities: a riddle walk lasting several hours, a cycle route with a named course, or local architectural and cultural history.

Landscape and water

The southern part of Oldřiš lies in the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area. At its southern tip, the Žleby forest forms a continuous wooded area. The northern part is also entirely wooded and is made up of the Královec forest. Together, the two forest areas give the local landscape a clear north–south orientation, without requiring you to follow a particular route.

The locality of U Třech buků is also part of the landscape and is associated with the appealing forest glades of Dolní Štamberk forest. The Černý potok also places Oldřiš within a larger river basin: via the nearby Svratka, it belongs to the Morava river basin. The village’s landmarks therefore include both named forest areas and a specific watercourse.

Riddle walk on foot

“Cesta za Oldřišským pokladem” is a six-kilometre riddle walk for school-age children and adults. It takes approximately four to five hours; sturdy footwear is recommended. The route is not suitable for pushchairs. The estimated duration helps with planning your day, while the restriction on pushchairs is worth bearing in mind when choosing an activity.

The starting point is at Můj obchod at the lower end of Oldřiš. The instructions are available in a black box. At the end of the walk, participants reach the Oldřiš municipal office, where a treasure chest awaits them. As the activity’s availability may change, check that it is being offered before setting out.

Cycling through Oldřiš

Cycle route 4022 runs from Polička via Sádek and Oldřiš to Borová, passing through Oldřiš. For planning a cycling trip, this route offers a different approach from the riddle walk: several places along the route are named, while the walk focuses on its duration, riddle theme, start and finish. Check route conditions before setting off.

Farmsteads and historical traces

Oldřiš has traditional farmsteads of the “poličské dvorce” type, built half of wood and half of masonry. At the locality of U zbořených mostů there is a pond; two stone arches of an old bridge connecting Oldřiš and Široký Důl remain there. This description thus links a specific architectural style with a named historical site and its surviving bridge arches.

The Orlovna was opened on 28 September 1929. Its façade features a depiction of Saint Wenceslas on horseback. The wayside cross near Roušar was restored in 2014 and returned to its original location after being damaged when a tree fell during a storm. Oldřiš’s sights also include Boží muka, traditional wayside chapels or shrines.

Chapel of St Francis of Assisi

The Chapel of St Francis of Assisi contains marble sourced directly from the Monte Subasio mountain range. It may be used for weddings and other religious and civil ceremonies, provided this is agreed in advance with the mayor. If you are considering a ceremony, make the necessary arrangements well in advance. This keeps both the possible use and its requirement part of the same plan.

The riddle walk, cycle route and cultural sites each offer a different focus: an activity lasting several hours, a route through several places, or individual architectural and historical traces in Oldřiš. These differences can help you tailor your stay to the subject that interests you most.

Discover more destinations: Rozhraní, Široký Důl, Korouhev, Lubná, Čistá, Stašov, Desná, Janůvky

For the overview of the wider region: Svitavy District.