Exploring the Scenic Beauty of the White Carpathians in East Moravia
Rare meadows full of orchids
The White Carpathians boast the richest variety and largest number of orchids in Central Europe. This exceptional region was recognized by UNESCO in 1996 and named a biosphere reserve. In the western part of the White Carpathians (Strážnice, Horňácko), you can find expansive areas of vibrant orchid meadows dotted with solitary trees. The largest of these areas is Čertoryje, located near the villages of Tvarožná Lhota and Kněždub. To fully appreciate the beauty of the Strážnice section, take a stroll along the Šumárnická nature trail, which stretches from Strážnice to Horňácko. Near the village of Javorník lies an important meadow reserve known as Jazevčí. You can also explore the nature trail called Javořinská, starting from Velká nad Veličkou and continuing into the Uherské Brod area of the Carpathians, up to Velká Javořina. In Veselí nad Moravou, you’ll find the White Carpathians Education and Information Centre housed in the building of the Protected Landscape Area’s Administration. Here, you can view an exhibition that highlights this unique region.
Beneath the summit of Velké Javořina lies an area of great value not just in this region of the Carpathians—the Javořina beech forest. You can use the nature trail starting at Květná to explore the area below Javořina. The Uherskobrod part of the Carpathians is largely influenced by Moravian Kopanice, featuring characteristic scattered buildings along with a blend of drier lands, wetlands, small woods, scrubland, and fields. The heart of Kopanice is Starý Hrozenkov, which is also the starting point for the Moravské Kopanice nature trail. The Lopeník nature trail represents the southern section of Kopanice, while the Bojkovická nature trail explores the area around Bojkovice. In the Northeast of the White Carpathians, the influences of Moravian Slovácko and Wallachia converge in Luhačovice, adjacent to the southern edge of Wallachia. The landscape here begins to resemble the Javorníky, which are directly next to the White Carpathians.
Home of the Zítkov goddesses and Jozy and Hanule from Želary
Žítková is situated in the Moravian Kopanice region, renowned mainly for its agricultural heritage. Residents historically cultivated rye and vegetables, with a particular emphasis on cucumbers, which prospered in this area. Visitors can still find a collection of traditional houses or even a natural swimming pool in the village. Here, nestled in the hills of the White Carpathians, lived women who were believed to possess remarkable abilities, known to locals as “the goddesses of Žítkov”. The area referred to as Černá has become particularly famous for these women. These so-called goddesses could not only heal using herbal remedies but also locate lost or stolen items and provide wise counsel regarding partnership issues. Sadly, their extraordinary abilities often led to persecution and stigma in the past. The tale of the last generation of these enigmatic figures has been documented by Kateřina Tučková in her book Zítkov goddesses, published in March 2012.
Another fascinating book about this area, capturing life in a distant corner of Moravia, is Želary alongside Jozova Hanule by author Květa Legátová, who was a teacher in Stary Hrozenkov. Initially published in 2001, these works were awarded the State Prize for Literature the following year. The stories and subsequent film adaptation are rooted in the literary work, Želary (2003). This narrative intertwines the lives of people in a secluded mountain village on the border of Moravia and Slovakia during the interwar period and World War II.
Not only folk monuments of the White Carpathians
The White Carpathians region is rich in various monuments that reflect the life of our ancestors. For example, you can visit the museum of timbered houses in Travičná, see the collection of protected barns in Hrubá Vrbka, the Kuželov windmill, the Upper Bohemian housing exhibit in Kuželov, the Na Mlýně museum in Dolní Němčí, a historic farmhouse in Kněždub, a thatched-roof home in Lopeník, the Museum of Bystřice pod Lopeníkem, and the conservation area around the village of Javorník – Kopánky, among other interesting sites, including the dwelling of an animal clerk in Komň and the Museum of the Last Goddess of Žítkov.
The Strážnice open-air museum is perhaps the most well-known exhibition featuring historical monuments in the foothills of the White Carpathians. Among the oldest preserved buildings is the Průžek Mill. You’ll also find houses from Moravské Kopanice, Luhačovice Zálesí, and Horňácko, along with technical water structures, vineyards, and meadow farming sites that are worth exploring.
If you’re interested in castles or chateaus, you can visit the ruins of the Romanesque castle in Brumov, the Neo-Gothic castle Nový Světlov in Bojkovice, or the museum housed in the castle in Uherský Brod.
The most beautiful routes in the White Carpathians
Beyond the marked walking paths, the KČT also guides you through the stunning sights of the White Carpathians with ten nature trails. These include the Královec Nature Trail from Valašské Klobouky, NS Javornický hřeben starting from Střelná or Lidečko, NS Moravské Kopanice from Žítková, NS Okolo Hrozenkov from Starý Hrozenkov, NS Lopeník from Lopeník municipality, NS Květná, NS Javořinská from Nová Lhota, NS Vrbecko-Kuželovská from Kuželov, NS Orchidejová from Lučina u Tvarožné Lhota, and NS Oskerušová from Radějov.
From Valašské Klobouky, make your way to the peaks of the White Carpathians and visit the Durch Observatory, which was recently built by the company Jánošík to honor the stunning views of the landscape. Along the way, stop by the Královec lookout tower to appreciate the charming cottage and the majestic fir trees at Baribal.
Marie Kudeříková’s Journey invites hikers and bikers to traverse from Veselí nad Moravou (or alternatively from Strážnice or Tvarožné Lhota) all the way up to the peak of Kobyla (584 m). Marie, a student and native of Vnorov, was active in the anti-fascist resistance but was tragically executed in 1943. In 1972, director Jaromil Jireš created a film about her life, particularly focusing on her time on death row, titled “…and I salute the swallows“.
Where the two sisters, Gabra and Malinka, spent their childhood lies near Javorník (783 m). When visiting this area, take a walk through the fields, greet the sheep on the hills, or just relax on the fragrant grass for a bit. The autobiographical narrative by Amalia Kutinova brings to life the joyful childhood experiences of these two sisters, where “Málinka” is the author, and “Gabra” is her older sister Gabriela. The entertaining stories are laced with vibrant humor and authentic dialect. A wonderful way to get here is from Bylnice via the blue trail.
Velka Javorina (970 m) is an exciting challenge for all who aim to conquer “the highest peaks” as it is the pinnacle of the White Carpathians. The most straightforward path from the village of Květná follows the green trail through the protected nature reserve of Javořina. Also starting from Velká nad Věličkou is the Javořina Nature Trail. The entire route spans 23 km, where you’ll discover 14 informative panels along the nature trail that share insights about the region and its inhabitants. To return to Strání, you can follow the red trail known as The SNP Heroes Trail. This is part of a long-distance Slovak route that traces the path of the Slovak National Uprising, stretching 770 km from Dukla Pass to Děvín Castle near the Austrian border. In our area, it is a mere 30 km long, running from Pod Kykulou Hill through Lopeník and Strání, all the way to Velká Javořina before turning back to Slovakia.
Are you keen to travel along the whole ridge of the White Carpathians? The beautiful winding paths offer a scenic route that spans over 100 km along the mountain ridge. You can access it from the village (train stop) Sudoměřice, taking the green trail to Mlýnky, then continuing through the Moon Valley to Bukovina, crossing into Slovakia to visit Three Hills and Kobyla, as well as The Three Stones, Vysoký Vršek, Nová hora, Kubíkův Vrch, Velká Javořina, then moving on to Květná and Velký Lopeník, the Vyškovec settlement, Starý Hrozenkov, Žítková, and following the yellow trail along the border ridge of the mountains to Rozepře and Bašta. Finally, the red trail takes you to Čerešičky, Javorník, Cold Hill, leads to the village Sidonie (known as White Hill in Slovak), the Czech Kosák Peak, Kaňúr, Láz, Končitá, and the village of Střelná, marking the beginning of the Beskydy Mountains.
