Day 5: For the Beauty of the City and Nature to Hradec Králové

Hradec Králové is literally a city of cyclists. The city is criss-crossed with cycle paths that not only lead along the Elbe and Orlice rivers, but also to the city’s outskirts, where they often connect to other cycle paths. 
If you go sightseeing in the city centre, first go to the junction of the rivers, which you will find hidden in the romantic surroundings of the Jirásek Orchards. This park used to be a popular place for lovers. That is why there are well-maintained flower beds, a rosarium with roses of all shapes and colours, as well as benches and a gazebo to relax in. On the way from there you can admire the local architectural gems – the Hučák hydroelectric power station and the so-called Gočár’s schools complex. You can also visit the Kotěra Museum of East Bohemia with an exhibition of the town’s history and the preserved study of architect Josef Kotěra. Access is via a mobile platform located at the rear of the building. Wheelchair users are advised to call in advance.

If you are looking for peace and quiet, head to the municipal forests. They are interspersed with a network of routes for walkers, runners, cyclists and wheelchair users. They will take you to game preserves, ponds and the U Vlka, U Pytláka, Mazurovy chalupy and U Střelnice forest refreshment shops. At the Zděná bouda bus stop you will find a restaurant with the same name offering fast food, snacks and ready-made meals. 
The cycle path along the forest will take you comfortably to Stříbrný rybník, where there is a campsite with many attractions and refreshments.

In Nový Hradec Králové you can visit the Observatory and planetarium with a rich programme. The modern planetarium building houses a hall with a digital planetarium and 3D film projection. In the old building next door is a space exposition, sky observation facilities and the original cinema used for lectures and regular programmes for children. The ground floor areas of the digital planetarium — including the exhibition foyer, projection hall, and restrooms — are wheelchair-accessible directly from the surrounding pathways.
A galactic trail with models of the planets, sun and moon leads from the observatory. The trail runs partly on an asphalt road, but then turns through a meadow into the forest and to the Datlík, Cikán and Biřička ponds.

TIP: Looking for accommodation in Hradec? Try the new EA Congress Hotel Aldis located close to the city centre near the City Spa – Aqua Park. 

BIKE? How about the electric bike? The Nextbike shared bikes now also offer an electric bike rental service, identifiable by their all blue colour. To rent them you need to have the Nextbike app installed on your mobile phone. These bikes are available in numerous places and will help you effortlessly get from A to B in just minutes.