The best hiking routes in CHKO Bílé Karpaty

CHKO Bl Karpaty offers a distinct walking landscape characterized by wide, gently sloping meadows interspersed with ancient solitary oaks and beech forests. Unlike the rugged, rocky peaks of other Czech border ranges, this area along the Slovak border is defined by soft, rolling limestone hills and clay-rich soils. Walkers will notice a park-like scenery where centuries of traditional hay-cutting have prevented forest regrowth, creating exceptionally species-rich grasslands.

Underfoot, the paths alternate between grassy farm tracks that can become sticky clay and stony forest trails. In late May and June, the meadows are filled with flowering wild orchids, which are the main botanical feature of the region. The landscape lacks dramatic gorges or high-altitude alpine terrain, offering instead long, open views across undulating pastures and quiet, wooded ridges.

While the central ridges are generally quiet, the designated nature reserves within the protected area, such as the meadows around ertoryje, attract more visitors during the spring bloom. The paths are mostly unpaved, requiring sturdy footwear for the uneven meadow terrain and the occasional steep climb through the beech woods.