Podkost: Hotels and Accommodation

Kost Castle, at Podkost 1, stands on a mighty sandstone spur in a wooded valley and is considered the best-preserved Gothic castle in Bohemia.

Hiking

The “Around Sobotka from Libošovice” route is 10.6 kilometres long and is described as a moderately difficult trail. It leads through Podkost, continuing to Kost Castle and into the Plakánek Valley; it runs mainly along forest and field paths, and to a lesser extent on third-class roads.

The circular route from Kost Castle begins and ends in Podkost. It uses red- and green-marked hiking trails and is 20 kilometres long and moderately difficult; there are several steep ascents and descents along the way.

Nature

The Plakánek Valley lies near Kost Castle between sandstone rocks and coniferous forests by Obora Pond. The Údolí Plakánek Natura 2000 site covers areas in the Podkost cadastral area and overlaps with the nature reserve of the same name. The Údolí Plakánek protected area protects caves inaccessible to the public and the rare fern Vláskatec tajemný (Trichomanes speciosum).

A section of the hiking trail in the Plakánek Valley was stabilised in 2020 at a severely waterlogged spot with a boardwalk. The Plakánek Valley also features an educational trail between sandstone rocks and along the Klenice; information panels explain the local history, geology and natural processes.

Culture

The village of Podkost below Kost Castle was founded in 1636, according to surviving accounts. A former cooperage has been preserved in House No. 8 in Podkost. Historic craft buildings in Podkost served to supply Kost Castle and its brewery.

The White Tower of Kost Castle has an irregular trapezoidal ground plan. From a particular viewpoint, all four edges can be seen simultaneously.

Kost Castle offers guided tours for visitors in four different circuits: one about the Kinský family, one about the mystery of the medieval torture chamber, a combined tour of the Kinský family and the torture chamber, and a shortened route for visitors with little time.

Other Places

Kyje, Ubislavice, Jeřice, Ostroměř, Staré Místo, Bukvice, Kbelnice, Češov

To the higher-level travel overview: Jičín District.