About this place
Údolí Javorky (Javorka Valley) is a protected natural monument lying just north of the small spa town of Lázně Bělohrad, in the Jičín district of north-eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic. It preserves a scenic stretch of valley along the natural course of the Javorka stream, prized for its peat meadows and wetland habitats.
What is protected here?
The heart of the reserve is a several-kilometre section of valley through which the Javorka winds its way between two hills, Mlázovický chlum and Hořický chlum. Because the stream has been left to follow its own natural, meandering course rather than being straightened or channelled, damp peat meadows have survived along its banks — a habitat that supports a range of protected plant and animal species typical of this part of the Bohemian uplands. Safeguarding these wet meadows and the life they sustain is the main reason the area was given protected status. The site is managed by the Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic.
Landscape between Ostroměř and Šárovcová Lhota
The valley stretches between the villages of Ostroměří and Šárovcová Lhota, separating the two hills of Mlázovický chlum and Hořický chlum. It runs for several kilometres and has kept an almost untouched, naturally shaped river landscape — increasingly rare in the intensively farmed countryside of central Bohemia.
How to experience the valley
The most straightforward way to take in the valley's beauty is on foot, following a route along the stream through meadows and streamside trees. Interestingly, one of the finest views of the valley is said to open up from a train window: the railway line connecting Ostroměř and Lázně Bělohrad runs here almost alongside the river, tracing its bends for much of the route. It offers a rare chance to see a protected landscape unfold directly from a regional train.
Ecological importance
The peat meadows along the Javorka represent an increasingly scarce type of wetland habitat in the region. Because the stream's course has not been artificially straightened, it can still periodically flood the adjoining land, keeping the soil moist enough to sustain peatland vegetation and the animal species that depend on it. Habitats of this kind play an important role in water retention and in maintaining biodiversity across the farmed landscape of the Bohemian Piedmont.
Who should visit?
Údolí Javorky suits visitors looking for a quiet, low-key walk close to nature, as well as birdwatchers and anyone interested in meadow plant life. It also offers a calmer alternative to the region's busier hiking trails. Its proximity to the spa town of Lázně Bělohrad makes it easy to combine a walk through the valley with a stroll around the town itself or with other nearby attractions.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Údolí Javorky located? North of Lázně Bělohrad, in the Jičín district, between the villages of Ostroměří and Šárovcová Lhota.
What does this reserve protect? Peat meadows along the natural, meandering course of the Javorka stream, together with the protected plant and animal species found there.
What is the best way to see the valley? On foot along the stream, or from a train on the Ostroměř–Lázně Bělohrad line, which runs alongside the river for much of its course.
Who manages the protected area? The Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic.
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