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The Sýkornice nature trail, just outside Nová Paka in the Krkonoše foothills: 5 km

  • The relatively new Sýkornice educational trail has some well prepared and interesting information boards (dual Czech/English) positioned on a 5 km circuit around a small protected nature park on the edge of the town of Nová Paka. The trail leads past the Novopacký waterfall, which cascades (usually very gently) over an 8m rock step.
  • The trail might be a good option for a short walk when the weather in the mountains is poor, as it mostly tours a dense spruce forest. The paths are not particularly steep, although care is required on the section past the waterfall, if conditions are icy. There is around 140m of height to ascend/descend on the route. Note: presumably because the trail is new, as of March 2023 there were no green-white diagonal nature trail markers – the only trail guidance are wooden signs to the waterfalls (vodopady). So, until the signs are created it is best to follow the route using a good map and/or the mapy.cz phone application
  • There are no refreshments directly on the route, but there are several options in nearby Nová Paka, including a visit to the local brewery, situated in the smartly reconstructed 19th century buildings on the edge of town. Tours of the brewery are possible during weekdays.

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

Directions

  • The nature trail starts 2 km outside Nová Paka town (if starting from there take the RED trail along the road in the direction of Pecka to reach the start point at the Štikov – hotel junction). More conveniently, if driving, there are usually parking spots near the trail start point
  • From the Štikov – hotel trail junction, start on the RED hiking trail in the direction of Pecka
  • After 900m, the nature trail deviates away from the RED hiking trail heading uphill on a footpath
  • After 1.3 km the trail passes the waterfalls and then continues a further 900m in the forest to then rejoin the RED hiking trail
  • At this point turn right onto the RED trail, returning back to the start point in 1.8 km
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