Praded and the Jeseniky Mountains

Praded, at 1,491 metres, is the highest summit in Moravia and the centre of the Jeseniky, a rounded massif of spruce forest with treeless meadow on the tops. The summit carries a tall concrete transmitter tower with a public viewing gallery and a cafe partway up, which is either an eyesore or the reason you get a view at all, depending on your mood. Cars stop well below, at Ovcarna or Hvezda, and from there it is a walk of an hour or so, or a seasonal shuttle. Around the summit lie arctic-alpine meadows, the rock outcrop of Petrovy kameny, and the Velka kotlina cirque, one of the richest botanical sites in Central Europe.

Highlights

• The summit tower - the concrete transmitter with a glazed gallery above the treeline and a cafe on the way up.
• The summit meadows - open grassland and dwarf shrub on the tops, with relic arctic and alpine plants.
• Petrovy kameny - the rock outcrop on the ridge below the summit, fenced off as a botanical reserve.
• Velka kotlina - the glacial cirque on the eastern side, seen from the ridge path above it.

When to go

June to September for the ridge walks, with late June and July the peak for meadow flowers. The summit is frequently in cloud, so check webcams before setting off. Winter brings deep snow and the area becomes a cross-country and touring ski ground, though wind on the tops is severe. Avoid fine summer Saturdays if you dislike queues.

Practical notes

Cloud sits on the summit far more often than not, and the gallery ticket buys you a view of grey. The final approach is a wide stony service road rather than a mountain path. The tower and its buildings dominate the top, and the cafe is packed in bad weather. Parking at Ovcarna is limited, charged and full by mid-morning in season.

Nearby

The spa village of Karlova Studanka lies below, and the Jeseniky ridge paths run north toward Jesenik.