⚠️ Warning! Winter conditions in the mountains do not ease even in May. There is 10–30 cm of snow on the ridges.
You can park your car either in the free small parking lot right at the entrance to Bílá Opava, or you can leave it in the paid parking lot Karlova studanka a few hundred meters away.
The entrance to the valley is opposite a small parking lot. The kilometer-long route from the road to the first signpost Na paloucku is not difficult. You will walk through a beautiful forest along the Bila Opava River.
At the signpost Na Palocku, follow the blue tourist sign, which is easier in winter, but also difficult due to winter conditions.
A 1.5 kilometer long route, with a 200-meter elevation gain, above the Bila Opava valley awaits you. The route is lined with roots, narrow streets, but there are beautiful views of the valley.
Then you will appear at the signpost Nad vodopady Bile Opava, where the blue and yellow hiking trails cross. From here you will continue along the blue hiking route to the Pod Ovcarnou signpost, where you will continue again along the blue hiking route to the Barborka cottage.
As you can see from the photos, there was almost no snow at the beginning of the route, but the more you climb, the more the rule that non-slips are really necessary equipment is confirmed.
From Barborka you will continue to the U Barborky signpost, where you will connect to the road, which also serves as a ski trail in winter.
The route to Praded is not difficult, but it is less than 3 kilometers long, with an elevation gain of 180 meters. You can see that the weather in the mountains changes every moment.
Praded, the righteous spirit of the local peaks, who rewards good and punishes the evil deeds of all who go to the Hruby Jesenik Mountains. In the oldest depictions, Praded used to be a giant in a miner's blouse with a burner. It protected plants, animals and the overall wealth that was hidden in the bowels of the Jeseníky underground.
The mythical spirit of Praded also had power over people who harmed the living creatures of his empire. He cursed such disturbers of the peace into the form of an abused animal. Since then, it has been said that many animals in the Jeseniky Mountains have a human soul.
The upper platform of Praded, or the television transmitter with a lookout tower, is the highest, albeit artificial, point in the Czech Republic, with a height of 1637.5 m above sea level.
In winter, we recommend using the same route on the way back that you hiked up.
