Vrchmezí

Orlica is the highest peak of the Orlické (Orlickie) Mountains on the Polish side of the border, rising to 1084 m above sea level right above the Czech village of Olešnice v Orlických horách. The summit itself sits exactly on the Polish-Czech border, and on the Czech side the mountain is known as Vrchmezí.

Where is Orlica located?

The Orlické Mountains stretch along the Polish-Czech border in the central Sudetes, separating the Kłodzko Valley from the Czech Podorlicko region. Orlica rises in the western part of the range, within the municipality of Olešnice v Orlických horách on the Czech side, itself sitting at 560-640 m above sea level just a few kilometers from the Polish border. Although the summit is administratively part of Czechia, for Polish hikers it remains the symbolic "roof" of the Orlickie Mountains — which is why it appears on the Crown of Polish Mountains list, a collection of the highest points of each of the country's mountain ranges.

How to hike up Orlica?

The most popular starting point on the Polish side is Zieleniec, from which a comfortable, mostly gentle trail climbs through open, panoramic meadows. On the Czech side, the summit can also be reached via a red-marked trail starting in Olešnice v Orlických horách — a route of roughly 4.8 km that runs through the Orlické Mountains Protected Landscape Area, passing the nearby Feistův kopec hill with its own observation tower along the way. It's a good option for visitors who want to approach the peak from the quieter Czech side and combine the hike with exploring the village itself.

What can you find on the summit?

Although Orlica is neither rocky nor particularly steep, its summit has long attracted attention from travelers. A stone obelisk stands there commemorating a visit by three notable figures: Emperor Joseph II, future US President John Quincy Adams, and composer Frédéric Chopin, who each passed through the area at different times. Next to the monument is a plaque bearing both the Polish and Czech names of the mountain, a reminder of its position straddling the border.

In 2021, a new 25.5-meter observation tower was built just below the summit. From its platform, visitors get a wide panorama that takes in the Kłodzko Valley and the Table Mountains on the Polish side, as well as the Czech Podorlicko region and neighboring parts of the Orlické Mountains. This is one of the reasons Orlica, despite its relatively gentle profile, remains a popular destination among Sudetes peaks.

Who is this hike suited for?

The ascent of Orlica is considered one of the easier routes among the Crown of Polish Mountains peaks, which makes it a popular choice for families with children and beginner hikers alike. The trails run mostly through open terrain and the spruce forests typical of the Central Sudetes, without any technically demanding sections. In winter, the surrounding areas of Zieleniec and Olešnice turn into busy ski resorts, keeping the region active with tourism year-round — hiking trails in summer, cross-country and downhill routes in winter.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Orlica? The summit reaches 1084 m above sea level and is the highest point of the Orlické Mountains on the Polish side of the border, though the peak itself lies directly on the Polish-Czech border.

What is Orlica called in Czech? On the Czech side, the mountain is known as Vrchmezí — both the Polish and Czech names appear on a plaque next to the summit obelisk.

What is the best way up Orlica? The most popular route starts in Zieleniec, Poland, but there is also a roughly 4.8 km red-marked trail from Olešnice v Orlických horách on the Czech side.

What is there to see at the top? The summit features an obelisk commemorating a visit by Emperor Joseph II, John Quincy Adams, and Frédéric Chopin, along with a 25.5-meter observation tower built in 2021 offering panoramic views of the Sudetes.