A 16 km hike to the Svatý Hostýn pilgrimage site and into the hills beyond

• The Basilica perched at over 700m altitude near the summit of Svatý Hostýn is the Czech Republic’s most visited pilgrimage church. Some visitors take the bus from the foot of the hill, but many climb the 400m of altitude from the nearby town Bystřice pod Hostýnem, finishing on the pilgrimage steps below the late Baroque Basilica, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. There are many other smaller chapels and shrines at the hilltop, as well as a 19th century stone lookout tower at the very summit of the hill.
• The location apparently became known as pilgrimage site after a 13th century miracle, when a group of Christians were trapped on the hill by a marauding Mongol army, probably led by two grandsons of Genghis Khan in the year 1241. The group had no supplies or water, until a spring miraculously appeared below to the summit – today the spring is marked by the Vodní kapel. A storm subsequently drove the Mongol army away from the hill, and the trapped Christians were saved.
• It is perhaps not surprising that the hill was viewed as source of refuge in the Middle Ages. The hilltop had been fortified since at least the late Bronze Age and was a strategic military site throughout the Celtic period. There is some speculation that the 13th century pilgrimage ‘miracle’ (which lacks historical evidence) was actually based on an documented event when a legion commanded by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius during the 2nd century Marcomannic wars, was trapped without water by a large army of Germanic tribesmen somewhere north of the Danube, possibly in Moravia. The legion was only saved by a miraculous storm which both quenched the thirst of the legionaries and created havoc in the surrounding barbarian army. The miraculous storm was later attributed the significant Christian element in the Emperor’s legions at the time.
• Whatever historical, legendary or divine events took place on the hillside of Svatý Hostýn, it remains an atmospheric hill to climb, even if the ascent trail can be somewhat busy during sunny weekends and throughout the summer period. Once at the top, unless preferring to explore the multiple tourist stalls, there is an excellent scenic walk mostly along the ridges heading deeper into the Hostýn hill range. There are impressive sandstone rock outcrops visible at various places along the route and excellent views over the surrounding hills.
• The ascent from the center of Bystřice pod Hostýnem is up to 4 km in length, depending on the starting point, and the walk along the ridge (with minor ascents-descents) can be up to 5 km. The total suggested route shown in the map below, starts opposite the chateau in Bystřice and traverses the hills as far as the Klapinov viewpoint. It is 16 km long with 550m of ascent/descent, generally on good forest tracks. The steepest section is the final section of ascent to the Basilica. For refreshments there are various options close to the Basilica, including a good café just below the final section of steps leading up to the Basilica.

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 near the chateau in Bystřice pod Hostýnem follow the BLUE hiking trail as it ascends the hill, to reach the Pod Vodní kaplí trail junction after 3.5 km
• Take the RED trail which ascends steeply to reach the Vodní Kapel after 400m and then ascend the steps for 300m to reach the Basilica. if desired there is a further 400m walk to the stone lookout tower at the top of the hill
• Return back down the steps for 200m to reach the Hostýn – bus trail signpost and there turn left onto the YELLOW trail for 300m to reach the Hostýn – Pod Valy junction
• At Hostýn – Pod Valy (if continuing for the ridge walk) turn left onto the BLUE trail in the direction of Skalný, which is reached after 2 km
• From Skalný continue for a further 1.5 km to the Klapinov viewpoint
• From Klapinov return back along the same route as far as the Hostýn – Pod Valy junction. Here, turn left onto the BLUE trail and follow this for 4.2 km back to the center of Bystřice pod Hostýnem