Mastecký vodopád

Mastecký vodopád is a small but striking waterfall near the village of Brocná, in the Rychnov nad Kněžnou district of eastern Bohemia. Though not entirely a work of nature, its nine-metre cascade draws hikers looking for lesser-known corners of the Podorlická Uplands.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The waterfall sits in the eastern part of a former stone quarry near the village of Masty, administratively part of the municipality of Bílý Újezd, roughly halfway between the towns of Solnice and Dobruška. Brocná, popular with visitors staying in the region's holiday cottages and farm stays, is one of the closest villages from which to plan a trip into this part of the district. The surrounding countryside forms a quiet, rural borderland between the Orlické Mountains and the Podorlicko region, laced with trails through forests, meadows and small stream valleys.

Where did this waterfall come from?

Unlike most Czech waterfalls, Mastecký vodopád is not a purely natural feature — it formed around 1984 as a result of stone quarrying at the local site. Excavation work cut through the bed of a left-bank tributary of the Zlatý potok (Golden Stream), and water began falling over the newly exposed rock face. The result is a roughly nine-metre cascade that, despite its industrial origin, has become a local tourist attraction over time.

What will you see on site?

The water drops down a vertical rock wall left behind by the old quarry workings, creating a striking contrast between the raw, post-industrial cliff and the vegetation that has gradually been reclaiming the ground around the pit. The waterfall is at its most impressive in spring during snowmelt and after heavy rain, when the flow is noticeably stronger and the cascade shows its full force. During dry spells the stream can shrink to a trickle, so it's worth timing a visit to match recent weather conditions.

Can you visit freely?

This is one of the key practical points: the area around the waterfall still belongs to an active stone quarry where extraction work continues. Access for outside visitors is restricted, and in practice the site can really only be visited when quarrying operations are not underway. Before heading there, it's worth checking local conditions or asking in nearby villages about current access.

When should you come?

The best time to visit is early spring, when melting snow feeds the stream at full strength, or shortly after a period of heavy rain. In summer and autumn the waterfall tends to be more modest, but the surrounding area remains an appealing destination for walks along the quiet, uncrowded trails of Podorlicko.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mastecký vodopád a natural waterfall? Not entirely — it formed around 1984 as a result of quarrying that exposed the bed of a tributary of the Zlatý potok, creating a roughly nine-metre cascade.

How tall is the waterfall? It is about nine metres high.

Can you always access the waterfall site? Not always — the area belongs to an active stone quarry, so access can be limited while extraction work is underway. Visiting is generally only possible when the quarry is not operating.

When is the waterfall most impressive? The flow is strongest in spring during snowmelt and shortly after heavy rainfall.