Central Moravia

The Jeseníky Mountains are made up of several ranges - the Hrubý Jeseník, the Rychlebské Mountains, the Králický Sněžník and the Nízký Jeseník. This is an area of beautiful, unspoilt countryside, ideal for hiking and cycling, and offering a number of leisure activities. In winter there are many ski resorts to choose from, the best known of which is the Červenohorské sedlo, the starting point for many hiking and cycling trails out into the Jeseníky Mountains and up to their highest peak, Praděd (1,492m).

Let yourself be enchanted by limestone caves at Na Špičáku and Na Pomezí and by the beauty of the Rešov waterfalls; cross the Rejvíz peat bog and don’t forget to pay the gold ore mills at Zlaté Hory a visit. At spas in Jeseník, Dolní Lipová and Velké Losiny you can experience the unique climate of the Jeseníky Mountains, one of the best in the world, said to have curative properties. Leave time to explore rare historical sights and pieces of the country’s industrial heritage such as the paper factory in Velké Losiny, where handmade paper has been produced using traditional methods for several hundred years, and the unique Dlouhé Stráně Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant.

Chateau at Velké Losiny – The three wings of this chateau are graced with three storeys of Renaissance loggia, and are dominated by a slender octagonal tower. The original interiors show what life was like for the 16th-century nobility; on the second floor you can access the courtroom where the infamous 17th-century witch trials took place.

Spa at Velké Losiny – This is one of the oldest spas in Moravia where spa buildings first appeared in 1592. The spa specialises in treatments for nerve and musculoskeletal complaints and respiratory disease. You’ll also find indoor and outdoor swimming pools fed with sulphurous thermal spring water (36°C) and there is a full range of spa procedures on offer.

Jeseník Spa– This spa was established in the 19th century by a folk healer named Priessnitz, an advocate of hydrotherapy. The local microclimate, the likes of which are not found anywhere else, is suitable for treating respiratory disease, nerve-related ailments and circulatory complaints. Take a walk along the colonnade, nature trails and walking routes to 80 natural springs or head for the viewing tower at the top of Zlatý chlum (875m).

Na Pomezí Caves – This cave system of narrow but tall passageways and small chambers is a popular place for numerous species of bat to hibernate. The 530m-long trail can be tackled in around 60 minutes.

Jánský Vrch Chateau in Javorník – At this chateau, the former residence of the Bishops of Wroclaw, you can see the largest collection of pipes and other smoking related regalia in the Czech Republic, with the collection containing around 1,200 exhibits. In the nearby valley of the Račí Stream you will discover the ruins of another noble pile, Rychleby Castle.

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