*A fabulous circuit along Broumov Walls via Hlavňov, the Kovářova gorge and Suchý Důl: 13 km*

A fabulous circuit along Broumov Walls via Hlavňov, the Kovářova gorge and Suchý Důl: 13 km

This is an extended version of a shorter (6 km) walk which visits the Broumov Walls and Hvězda chapel, which is described here. This longer version continues along the ridgeline, visits additional viewpoints and then circles back to the starting point in Hlavňov, via the village of Suchý Důl.
The Broumov Walls are one of the country’s most spectacular sandstone rock formations. Formed from a block of sandstone laid down in the Cretaceous period, some 90 million years ago, when the area was covered by a shallow tropical sea, the Walls are famous for their curious shaped rock pillars and stunning viewpoints.
The closest access point to the Walls is the parking area just below the famous Hvězda chapel, located on the ridge line overlooking the Broumov plain to the north. A short and easy walk from this spot is described here. However, for a more challenging and rewarding walk, a good starting point is the village of Hlavňov, at the bottom of the road which leads up to the Hvězda parking. Hlavňov has its own (free) parking area and bus connections with the town of Police nad Metují.
A major benefit of starting a walk in Hlavňov is that one of the access trails leading up to the ridgeline, passes along the spectacular Kovářova canyon, which was carved out by the Hlavňovský stream. The canyon, with a number of deep pseudo caves and towering rock faces on both sides, is a very atmospheric place.
The suggested route leads directly to the Hvězda pilgrimage chapel, one of the most popular destinations in Broumovko. Located at an altitude of 671m, the chapel was built in in 1731-1733 by the famous Czech Baroque architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, who also designed the nearby magnificent Broumov monastery. The chapel has a five-pointed star design but is actually circular on the inside.
Behind the chapel there is another excellent viewpoint, which is accessed via a stone bridge. Just 100m from the chapel is the well-known Chata Hvězda, an Alpine style wooden lodge built in the 19th century and today owned by the Benedictine order (who also own the Broumov monastery). The Chata operates as a restaurant and has a terrace with a view even better than the one from the behind the chapel.
From the chapel, the route leads along the ridge line, visiting a number of superb viewpoints, including the amazing Skalní divadlo view, featured in the header photo. There are many unusually shaped rocks along the route, including several with names (and signposts). There are also some brilliant ‘mushroom rocks’ (see header photo) where the ‘cap’ is more resistant to erosion, usually due to minerals infused during volcanic activity.
The descent from the ridge offers a great view over the mountains to the north and passes through the village of Suchý Důl, where there is a good village pub (map point 13). Another super refreshment option definitely worth stopping at is the Ryba na Hrázi pub, beside the pond before the Hlavňov car park (map point 15). Unsurprisingly, the pub specializes in excellent fish dishes. There is a terrace area for summer dining.
Although this is not a long route, it is quite strenuous with lots of steepish step sections in the rocks, with over 400m of height to ascend/descend. Care is needed when conditions are wet, but overall, it is not a difficult route.

Note: click ‘Show on map’ above to go to a full screen version directly on the mapy.cz site. This can be used for online navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file

Directions

At the Hlavňov – horní trail junction (next to the car park), join the RED trail heading towards Hvězda (the Ryba na Hrázi pub is located 300m along the trail on the right side)
Remain on the RED trail for 2 km through the gorge, until reaching the U Kovárny junction. There turn left onto the GREEN trail heading towards Hvězda on the shortest route
The Hvězda chapel is reached after 600m. Continue along the ridge, on the BLUE trail for 150m to reach the Chata Hvězda. A further 100m along the BLUE leads to the Veranda viewpoint
Return back to the chapel and join the RED trail heading towards Supí hnízdo. After 500m divert to the right to visit the unmissable Skalní divadlo viewpoint
Continue along the RED trail for a further 6 km until reaching the Nad Slavným junction. Along the way there are various optional diversions to viewpoints or special rock formations. The two diversions shown on the map below – to the Supí hnízdo viewpoint (map point 7) and Kamenné hřiby (map point 9) – are recommended stops
At Nad Slavným junction, turn right onto the GREEN trail which leads after 2.6 km to the center of Suchý Důl village
In Suchý Důl, leave the marked hiking trail and turn right onto the side road (also a red marked cycle track) which heads over the hill back to the Hlavňov parking and bus stop
If wanting to visit the Ryba na Hrázi pub, it reached via side path beside the pond (reached 1.2 km after leaving Suchý Důl)