To the viewpoint at the Studenec Rocks

You set off from the village of Vlčkovice. You can leave your car parked in the village in the small parking area by the U Vlka Guesthouse. Then head back a short way toward the little church, cross the main road, and follow the red trail toward Studenský Forest/Studenecký Forest * sources differ on the name. After a while you’ll turn off the asphalt onto a flower-filled meadow, and then continue through the forest along the red trail; the route is well marked.  If you come here in late summer or early autumn, you’ll pick full handfuls of sweet raspberries and blackberries for a snack along the way, growing wild beside the forest path.

You’ll reach the top of Studený Hill in no time. From the signpost it’s only a short walk to the viewpoint, which offers a breathtaking view of the surroundings. You can admire the Králický Sněžník massif and the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains, or the Buková Highlands.

The Studenecké Rocks area is the only place in the Orlické Mountains where you’ll find rock formations this extensive. It lies at an elevation of 700 m above sea level on the southeastern slope of Studený Hill above the Tichá Orlice River, not far from the Pastviny Reservoir.

Studený Hill with the Studenecké Rocks is thus one of the finest examples of so-called cryogenic relief in eastern Bohemia. The entire rock formation is about 500 m long, and the rocks reach heights of up to 20 (25) m. The area is popular with rock climbers.  Climbing routes are marked here, including their difficulty. If you climb, you’ll enjoy overhangs and slabs as well. The rocks are an ideal spot for grade 4 and grade 5 climbers. The rock formation creates a rock wall that is interrupted in places and is made of gneiss. The rocks are also named, e.g. Slunečná, Titanic, U buku, Vyhlídka, or Dívčí. At the viewpoint you’re essentially standing on top of the rocks; if you want to take a closer look at them, you need to descend to them. It can be done with great caution, but on the map the path below the rocks is not marked.

Besides the viewpoint, at the top of the Studenecké Rocks you can also enjoy refreshments in the form of roasted sausages. You’ll find several benches and a fire pit here. Keep in mind it’s a good idea to bring kindling for lighting the fire, and above all to extinguish it properly before you leave. Thank you for being responsible.

The whole trip won’t take you more than a couple of hours in the afternoon. You won’t meet too many hikers in the forest or at the viewpoint. It’s peaceful here, and the beautiful nature offers a chance to slow down in the hectic pace of everyday days.