Hořidla to the Labe

A 29.8 km point-to-point hike from Horní Řepčice over the Hořidla lookout and Sovice hill down to Roudnice nad Labem.

This walk leaves the České středohoří quietly. From the last wooded hills above Úštěk it descends gradually into the open Polabí plain and ends on the Elbe. There are no summits, but you get lookouts, ruins and wide field views instead. It is easy going throughout, and the interest is in the small landmarks along the way.

From the Horní Řepčice stop the route runs south through Chotiněves to the Hořidla lookout tower. From its platform you can see the whole day. The hills you are leaving are to the north, Říp and the plain are ahead. A little further on, in the fields between Encovany and Hrušovany, you pass the ruined chapel at Prachová. Encovany and the villages of the Polepy parish follow, farm country with the hills shrinking behind you.

The last landmark is Sovice above Vetlá. It is a short out-and-back climb onto a lone hill. From its top the finish is in sight, and the remaining kilometres run flat through Zavadilka into Roudnice nad Labem and its railway station.