Tourists heading to the northeastern part of the Czech Republic often talk about going "to the Jeseniky Mountains". More than one question hangs in the air: Where exactly are they going? What actually makes up the Jeseniky Mountains, and what is the difference between the Hruby Jesenik, the Nizky Jesenik Mountains, the CHKO Jeseniky, Kralicky Sneznik or the so-called Rychleby? It belongs to the Hruby Jesenik Mountains, for example. Dalimilova lookout tower, Raci udoli, Rabstejn, Zlaty Chlum, Rejviz or Resovske vodopady?
Tourists heading to the northeastern part of the Czech Republic often talk about going "to the Jeseniky Mountains". More than one question hangs in the air: Where exactly are they going? What actually makes up the Jeseniky Mountains, and what is the difference between the Hruby Jesenik, the Nizky Jesenik Mountains, the CHKO Jeseniky, Kralicky Sneznik or the so-called Rychleby? It belongs to the Hruby Jesenik Mountains, for example. Dalimilova lookout tower, Raci udoli, Rabstejn, Zlaty Chlum, Rejviz or Resovske vodopady?
The term Jeseniky is often used as a general designation for the entire mountain system on the border of Moravia and Silesia. They include two main mountain massifs, i.e. Hruby Jesenik and Nizky Jesenik. In addition to these two main parts, the term Jeseniky is sometimes used for a wider area including other mountain units, which leads to a lot of confusion.
The highest and most famous part of the Jeseniky Mountains. It is home to the highest mountains in the area, including the majestic Praded (1491 m above sea level), which is also the highest peak in Moravia. Hruby Jesenik is often what people mean when they talk about trips "to the Jeseniky Mountains".
The Hruby Jesenik Mountains are roughly shaped like a heart, or the letter Ypsilon, whose individual arms form three hills, i.e. Pradedska Highlands, Keprnicka Highlands and Medvedska Highlands.
It lies in the southern part of the mountain range between the saddles of Skritek and Cervenohorske sedlo. The most famous peaks are Bridlicná hora (1358 m), Vysoka hole (1465 m), Petrovy kameny (1447 m), Praded (1491 m), Maly Ded (1369 m) and Dlouhe strane (1354 m).
The Pradedska Highlands are also partially affected by the Skritek Peat Bog National Nature Reserve. On the other hand, places such as Rabstejn, White Stones or Black Stones no longer fall into this area.
Pradedska Highlands, mapy.cz
It lies in the northwestern part of the mountain range between Cervenohorske sedlo and Ramzovske sedlo. In the main ridge lie the peaks of Cervena hora (1333 m above sea level), Keprnik (1423 m above sea level, the highest peak of the mountain) and Serak (1351 m above sea level) and Vozka (1377 m above sea level).
Some people consider the Premyslovske sedlo, i.e. the road connecting Kouty nad Desnou (Rejhotice) with Nove Losiny, to be the border of the Hruby Jesenik Mountains. However, this area, or the Keprnicka Highlands, also includes, for example, places beyond the Premyslovske sedlo, i.e. the peak of Uchac (1009 m above sea level) or the well-known rock formation Tri Kameny (907 m above sea level).
Keprnicka Highlands, mapy.cz
It lies in the northeastern part of the mountain range. Compared to the first two hills, it is significantly flatter, without a conspicuous ridge. It is separated by the Vidly sedlo and stretches to the Rejviz. The most famous peaks include Medvedi vrch (1216 m above sea level, the highest peak of the mountain), Orlik (1204 m above sea level) and Kazatelny (925 m above sea level).
Rejviz with its moss lakes lies on the very border of the area. Some maps include the Velke Mechove Lake and Male Mechove Lakes in the Hruby Jesenik Mountains, but others exclude them. We decided to include Rejviz because it is a great starting point for hikes to the Medvedska Highlands.
Medvedska Highlands, mapy.cz
Another area that visitors associate with going "to the Jeseníky Mountains" is the Jeseniky Protected Landscape Area, the so-called Jeseniky Protected Landscape Area, which was declared in 1969 and is one of the largest protected areas in the Czech Republic. It is located in the northeastern part of the country, in the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions. Borders
The area protects a varied nature, especially the Hruby Jesenik Mountains, including alpine forest-free areas, spruce forests, peat bogs, springs and rare species of plants and animals. In addition to natural uniqueness, such as glacial cirques or stone seas, we can find folk architecture, historical galleries and important mineralogical sites.
This protected area also includes part of the surrounding area, such as the Hanusovicka Highlands, the Javornicky Promontory or the Zlatohorska Highlands. Here, for example, Rabstejn (803 m above sea level), Kamenny vrch (964 m above sea level) or Zlaty chlum (891 m above sea level) already belong.
CHKO Jeseniky, mapy.cz
The Nizky Jesenik Mountains are much lower and less dramatic, but still very interesting. It lies south of the Hruby Jesenik Mountains and is mainly made up of slightly undulating hills. The highest peak of the Low Jesenik Mountains is Slunečna Mountain (800 m above sea level). This part of the Jeseniky Mountains is slightly less visited by tourists, which makes it an ideal destination for those looking for peace and relaxation in nature without many people.
One of the most visited locations in the Nizky Jesenik Mountains, which many visitors mistakenly confuse with the Hruby Jesenik Mountains, are the Resovske vodopady.
In the north it extends to Bruntal and Krnov, while in the east it stretches towards Opava, Vitkov and Hradec nad Moravici. The southern part reaches Odry, Fulnek and Moravsky Beroun, in the west it is bordered by the area around Sternberk. Within the mountain range lie villages such as Budisov nad Budisovkou, Svetla Hora or Andelska Hora.
Nizky Jesenik, mapy.cz
The Jesenicka area is divided into the following units:
Another frequent question is whether the Rychlebske Mountains belong to the Jeseniky Mountains.
Technically, the Rychlebske Mountains are an independent mountain range that lies northwest of the Hruby Jesenik Mountains, on the border with Poland. Although they are not part of the Jeseníky Mountains as such, they are considered to be their close neighbours and form one of the attractive tourist destinations for lovers of mountain nature, with the highest peak of Smrk (1127 m above sea level)
They are known mainly for their cycling routes, the so-called Rychleby trails, which attract mountain biking enthusiasts from all over Europe. Relatively frequently visited locations, such as the Forest Bar, the Crayfish Valley, the Devil's Pulpits, or even the Dalimilova Lookout Tower (918 m above sea level) or the Paprsek mountain area, already belong to the Rychlebske Mountains, not to the Hruby or Nizky Jesenik Mountains.
Rychlebske Mountains, mapy.cz
Kralicky Sneznik is another independent mountain massif, located west of the Jeseniky Mountains. Its highest peak of the same name, Kralicky Sneznik (1,424 m above sea level), is an important point not only on the Czech-Polish border, but also within the whole of Central Europe. Although this massif is not part of the Jeseniky Mountains, tourists often include it in their plans when traveling to this area, thanks to its proximity and mountain character.
Other frequently visited locations are, for example, Susina (1321 m above sea level), the Lower Morava Sky Walkway, the source of the Morava River (1380 m above sea level) or the Navrsi cottage.
As can be seen from the map above, the Rychlebske Mountains and Kralicky Sneznik belong to the Jesenicka area, but unfortunately they are not considered part of the Jeseniky Mountains, as the Jeseniky Mountains are generally perceived primarily as the Hruby Jesenik Mountains.
In any case, whether you go to the Hruby Jesenik Mountains with its majestic peaks, to the quieter Nizky Jesenik, or to explore the adjacent Rychlebske Mountains or Kralicky Sneznik, the Jeseniky region offers a wide range of experiences.
