Exciting Adventures Await: Hotspots for Hikers, Cyclists, and Summer Relaxation
Inspiration for hikers and cyclists
The Beskydy Mountains feature many hiking paths suitable for all levels of experience, ranging from simple strolls to tough ascents, including notable peaks like Lysá hora, Smrk, and Radhošť. What are the must-see attractions? Some of the favorites include ascending Lysá hora (which stands at 1324 meters above sea level) via different trails, exploring the iconic Radhošť where you can find the Chapel of St. Cyril and Methodius and the statue of Radegast, and enjoying a pleasant walk around Pustevny, which showcases Jurkovič’s Libušín and Maměnka lodges. Nature enthusiasts can also take delight in the stunning Satin Waterfalls or venture into the enchanting Pulčín Rocks.
The Beskydy Mountains are perfect for sports cyclists who thrive on rugged paths, as well as for road cyclists and families with kids, with easy trails that are ideal for younger riders. Mountain bikers will love the Bike resort Wallachia, featuring a network of mountain biking trails, specialized MTB paths in the Těšín Silesia region, and the circular Beskydy Radegast Cyklotrack. For those who enjoy road cycling, there are challenging climbs to the summit of Lysá hora, and popular routes include the circular trip around the Šance dam or the path from Frenštát pod Radhoštěm to Pustevny. For more adventurous cyclists, there are thrilling ridge road routes, like the trip from Pusteven via Martiňák to Soláň, or an exciting circular journey from Velké Karlovice through Makovské sedlo, Bumbálka, Třeštík, and back through the Hanzlová valley. We also recommend a family-friendly route around the Šance dam, the bike path along the Ostravice river, or the Bevlava trail which connects Bečva-Vlára-Váh.
Relaxation by the water and adrenaline experiences
In the Beskydy Mountains, you’ll discover several ponds, swimming pools and aquaparks where you can cool off and enjoy sunny days. One favorite is the Olesna Water Park, where you can relax while admiring the view of Lysá hora. Another popular spot is the Baska water reservoir, which boasts a grassy beach and various sports facilities. The dams Žermanice and Terlicko are also hotspots for those who love natural swimming. Additionally, enthusiasts can enjoy the biotope Bečva. In Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, there’s a great swimming complex featuring a pool, a children’s area, slides, and a toboggan. The aquapark in Frenštát pod Radhoštěm promises fun as well. You can also relax and swim at the Pod Javorovým swimming pool in Třinec, which has a fun water slide. Another engaging option is the “Dead Sea of the Beskydy” – a pool enriched with sea salt located at the Morávka Mountain Resort.
What about those seeking adventure and excitement? You can try the zipline at the Karolinka Summer Park, navigate the ropes course and bobsleigh at BoboPark, or enjoy riding on the tubing tracks in the children’s summer park located in Bílá. Climbing high among the treetops in Tarzania, experiencing thrilling attractions in Gibon Park in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, or racing down the mountain on scooters from Pusteven are also fantastic options. For thrill-seekers, activities like paragliding, ballooning, or tandem paragliding offer an unforgettable experience.
The most popular sights of Beskydy and Wallachia
The top attraction is the Wallachian Open Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, recognized as the largest open-air museum in Central Europe that showcases Wallachia’s folk traditions. When it comes to castles and chateaus, you shouldn’t miss Hukvaldy Castle, Štramberk Trúba, or the castle in Frýdek-Místek. Don’t forget to check out the technical monuments in Kopřivnice, such as the Tatra Car Museum and the Tatra Truck Museum, which also features an exhibition of the Slovak Strela train. If you have an interest in military history, you can trace the steps of partisans: the Czech-Slovak Javorníky Ridge is part of the route taken by the heroes of the SNP, while the path of the Jan Žižka Partisan Brigade stretches from Hošťálková to Lukoveček. Many Wallachian villages and settlements carry tales from the war, like Vařákovy paseky, Ploština, and Prlov. You might even find some partisan bunkers—a notable one is in the woods near Prlov, while Švehla’s cabin remains hidden near Liptal, and you can catch glimpses of a bunker at the peak of Kněhyně.
