Oznice: Cultural Traces, Trails and Panoramic Views

At Forajtka stands a protected wooden belfry with two bells. One of the bells dates from 1737. After the First World War, the belfry was moved to its present location near Forajtka. It originally stood by house number 15, belonging to the Hrabovský family in Lípí. Anyone interested in smaller historic structures will therefore find a specific example here of how a single place is shaped by its building and usage history.

A simple stone monument to T. G. Masaryk stands at the Píšková saddle. It is located in a grassy clearing with ornamental shrubs and young lime trees. The site combines the clear form of the stone monument with an open landscape setting, without requiring a large museum complex or extensive grounds. This makes it an independent destination among the scattered cultural traces around Oznice.

The municipality’s historic working life can also be experienced through traditional crafts. In the past, the residents of Oznice earned additional money by making brooms and producing Wallachian shoes, carts, sledges, wooden tools and other wooden objects. These activities point to a rural everyday history that can be explored not only through monuments, but also through utilitarian objects and craft skills.

On a ridge at the cadastral boundary of Oznice and Banky, near the Na pasekách area, stands a sandstone block bearing the inscription “Kaiser Franz Josefs - Hohe 1898”. It commemorates Emperor Franz Joseph I’s visit in 1898. At the boundary between Oznice and Branky, on the ridge of the Hostýnské vrchy near the farmstead at Mrnuštíků, there is also a simple wooden wayside shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It stands between two mature lime trees, has a roof and contains a statue of the Virgin Mary.

At Mrnuštíků, a Pentecost mass is held at the pilgrimage site in May.

An approximately 13.5-kilometre yellow-marked trail runs through the eastern foothills of the Hostýnské vrchy. Along the route, there are numerous panoramic views of nearby ridges and the Vsetínské vrchy opposite. The trail begins at the Oznice ČSAD bus stop and leads via Kuželek, Lázy, Háje, Pod Chladnou and U Holáňů to the bridge in Pržno.

Oznička is a special viewpoint. From its covered platform five metres above the ground, you can look out over the adjacent settlement and the surrounding hills shaped by pastures. Through an opening to the northeast, the summit of Radhošť in the Beskids can be seen.

The route from Oznice to Oznička follows an approximately 1,200-metre-long, steeply ascending stretch to a saddle. For the final 200 metres, a mountain bike is more suitable than a road bike. This detail is more important when choosing a means of transport than a general classification of the entire route: the climb and the surface of the final section require different considerations.

The 45-kilometre “Na Kelečský zámek z Valmezu” cycling loop runs via Valašské Meziříčí, Poličná, Branky, Kelč, Kunovice, Loučka, Podolí, Oznice, Mikulůvka and Jarcová before returning to Valašské Meziříčí. Oznice is therefore part of a loop whose starting and finishing point lies outside the village. This structure is relevant when planning a day trip if you prefer a longer tour passing through several places to a hike with a fixed destination.

The cycling loop is suitable for e-bikes, gravel bikes and mountain bikes. On the section towards Oznice, it follows cycle route 6220, passes through Oznice and, from the “Nad Oznicí” junction, first changes to a yellow-marked trail and then to the green-marked route. The combination of the loop’s length, several types of trail and different bicycle types also makes the tour interesting for travellers who do not choose their route solely according to a single viewpoint.

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation for a stay in Oznice, your preferred daily itinerary should be the deciding factor. Those interested in culture can plan their stay around the scattered belfry, monument and memorial sites. Anyone who mainly wants to travel on foot can focus on the yellow-marked trail with its ridges and viewpoints. For cycling travellers, however, Oznice’s inclusion in the 45-kilometre cycling loop represents a different planning approach. This distinction helps you assess the location of your accommodation not only by the place name, but also by the planned itinerary.

Different interests within a travel group can also be compared objectively in this way. While some travellers may focus on historic markers such as the belfry, the Masaryk monument or the wayside shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the landscape offers opportunities for hiking, sightseeing and cycling. The accommodation decision can therefore remain oriented towards the actual priorities of your stay.

If you would like to compare Oznice with other destinations, you can also include Lešná, Hošťálková, Študlov, Vigantice, Francova Lhota, Zubří, Valašská Senice and Valašská Polanka as part of your selection.

Where is the stone cross in Oznice?

The stone cross stands beside the road running through Oznice, near the municipal office. It was erected in 1906 at the expense of the Zetek couple.

What does the partisan bunker near Oznice commemorate?

A restored partisan bunker stands on the slope above Oznice. Partisan Augustin Bártek from Brňov was killed there on 1 March 1945 while fighting German police forces. The bunker was reconstructed in 1980.

What should you know about Oznička?

Oznička is an almost eight-metre-high private wooden lookout tower in the Hostýnské vrchy above Oznice. The tower has existed since 2019, and its viewing platform was opened to the public in 2023. Oznička is freely accessible; visitors climb it at their own risk. It lies on the route between Mikulůvka and Oznice.

For the broader travel overview: Vsetín District.