The best hiking routes in Zlín Region

The Zlín Region of eastern Czechia offers a choice between two distinct upland landscapes. To the north, CHKO Beskydy presents steep, forested sandstone ridges where the underfoot terrain consists of rocky, root-strewn clay paths. Here, the dense spruce canopy dominates, opening up occasionally to reveal traditional timber cottages and mountain pastures. In contrast, the southern border is shaped by CHKO Bílé Karpaty, where the landscape transitions into gently rolling, wide-open meadows famous for their scattered solitary oaks and rich orchid populations. Walking here feels less enclosed, with paths running along grassy ridges and through light beech woodlands.

In CHKO Bílé Karpaty, the landscape is defined by centuries of low-intensity mowing, which has prevented the forest from reclaiming the hillsides. Underfoot, you will mostly tread on packed earth and grassy tracks that can become slick after rain. In CHKO Beskydy, the geology is more rugged, shaped by deep-seated slope failures that have created small sandstone crevices and rocky outcrops along the ridges. These northern slopes are often cooler and retain snow cover much longer into the spring than the sun-exposed southern meadows.

While you will not find high alpine peaks or deep limestone canyons in this region, the contrast between the dark, coniferous forests of the north and the bright, park-like meadows of the south is stark. Well-known spots around the main ridges of CHKO Beskydy can be busier with walkers, whereas the remote border ridges of CHKO Bílé Karpaty are often quieter, offering a more solitary walking experience along the Czech-Slovak frontier.