Horní Nová Ves – Trails, Nature and History

For a hotel stay in Horní Nová Ves, several specific themes stand out: the Kamennou hůrou nature trail, the Javorka landscape and the history of Dražná Fortress. The Jižní okruh z Nové Paky also passes through the village. You can shape your trip around the interests you want to pursue there, such as nature and scenery, cycling or historical sites.

Nature and Trails

The Kamenná hůra Nature Reserve lies near Horní Nová Ves. It has been protected since 1956 and preserves a so-called bare beech forest. The Údolí Javorky Natural Monument covers the cadastral area of Horní Nová Ves. It protects the meandering course of the Javorka stream and marshy meadows with protected plant species.

The Kamennou hůrou nature trail runs through Horní Nová Ves, is 13 kilometres long and has eleven stops. Its themes range from diverse nature and examples of folk architecture to geological features and places associated with local legends. The route therefore offers several different points of interest. Its length and number of stops also give you specific details to help plan your stay.

Cycling Route and Comparing Distances

The Jižní okruh z Nové Paky is described as an easy cycling tour of about 17 kilometres for mountain or trekking bikes. At kilometre 11, the route reaches Horní Nová Ves along an unmarked road. Check road conditions and signs before setting off. This makes it possible to compare the two routes by their different features: the nature trail is listed as 13 kilometres long and has eleven stops, while the Jižní okruh is a cycling tour of about 17 kilometres. These figures describe route lengths; the cycling route and nature trail are different offerings.

Dražná Fortress and Local History

The remains of the vanished medieval fortress are known by the names Dražná and Na Drahách. They lie on the left bank of the Javorka, on the boundary between the cadastral areas of Horní Nová Ves and Prostřední Ves. Dražná Fortress was located in Horní Nová Ves; its earliest records are dated to 1400 and 1396. During the Thirty Years’ War, Horní Nová Ves was permanently incorporated into the Bělohrad estate. Together, these place references point to the medieval fortress and a later change in territorial allegiance.

Emil Buchar and Astronomy

In addition to the fortress’s history, a memorial plaque at the birthplace of Emil Buchar, at Horní Nová Ves 68, commemorates the Czech astronomer. Buchar discovered the first Czech minor planet and named it Tynka after his mother. In 1957, he used observations of Sputnik 1 to determine the Earth’s flattening more accurately. The plaque thus connects a specific place in the village with Buchar’s discoveries and scientific work.

Discover more destinations: Stav, Bašnice, Sukorady, Jičín, Žlunice, Kacákova Lhota, Vitiněves, Tetín U Jičína

For the overview of the wider area, see: Jičín District.