A short walk to the impressive medieval castle ruins of Lukov – 3+ km

• The Gothic royal castle of Lukov is one of the oldest and most impressive medieval ruins in Moravia. Located in the Hostýn hills to the north of the city of Zlín, this partly reconstructed castle makes a fine destination for a short walk in the mixed forests of Hostýnské vrchy. A simple (3 km) loop to the castle can be extended by taking the 9 km nature trail in the nearby forests, which comprise an attractive mix of beech, oak, fir and spruce trees. Only the spruce is not natural to the hills.
• Lukov has a rich history with connections to many of the key events and personalities that helped shaped Bohemia and Moravia for over 400 years. The castle was probably established in the early 13th century and for its first two centuries ownership alternated between the king and the powerful Šternberk family. In the 15th century the castle was besieged and captured by the invading king Matthias Corvinus of Hungary.
• Several major aristocratic families held the strategically positioned castle over the next 200 years, including the 17th century generalissimo Albrecht Valdštejn, who inherited the castle from his wife. The castle was extended and rebuilt in the 16th century, but finally was badly damaged after capture by the invading Swedish army in 1642. Its importance declined and was fully abandoned by the end of the 18th century.
• Lukov castle can be reached by taking the bus from Zlín to Lukov village and then following the road for 1 km up the hill to reach the car parking area, where the recommended 3 km loop begins. If driving, note that the parking area is not particularly large and can get full at peak times. The 9 km nature trail also starts from the parking area.
• The suggested route from the car park climbs relatively steeply through meadows and then forest area, passing the impressive Králky rocks before arriving at the castle. For the return journey there is the option take the easier forest road which descends directly back to the car park (this descent route could also be used for the ascent if walking with a stroller). The total loop of 2.9 km involves 150m of height to climb from the car park (it is more if starting from the village). There are refreshment just outside the castle entrance and also in the village of Lukov (including the well regarded Restaurant na Pivovaře).

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Starting at the car park below the castle, take the RED and GREEN marked hiking trail up the hill for 500m to reach the Pod hradem Lukov trail junction. Here, take the GREEN trail in the direction of Králky
• Pass through the rock area and after 400 join the forest road staying on the GREEN trail to reach the castle entrance in 300m
• After visiting the main castle area it is worth continuing on the RED trail for 200m past the observation tower and circling around to the highest point on the hill – there is a tourist shelter on the top – returning back along the ridge and back down to the main castle area
• From the main castle complex take the GREEN trail back down along the forest road, but stay on the road rather than follow the GREEN trail through the rocks. The forest road leads easily down the hill directly to the parking area