Welcome to Beskydy!

The Moravian-Silesian Beskydy region lies in the easternmost portion of the Czech Republic on the borders with Slovakia and Poland. They form the largest foothills of the western Carpathian Mountains in the Czech Republic. The highest point is Lysá hora (?Bare Mountain?) at 1,323 m above sea level. Other important peaks include Radhošť (1,129 m), Kněhyně (1,257 m), Smrk (?Spruce Top? at 1,276 m) and Travný (?Grassy Top? at 1,203 m). In 1973 the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy were declared a protected habitat and, with a total area of 1,160 km?, make up the largest protected habitat in the Czech Republic among natural reservations (with the inclusion of the Hukvaldy gamepark, Mazák and Radhošť).The wonderful scenery of the Beskydy beckons people to engage in all kinds of sports activities and pleasurable relaxation. Its deep valleys are full of communities typical to this area, with buildings made out of wood, chapels, bell towers, and sheep can be seen grazing in the meadows that line the mountain slopes.

The Beskydy have lots of natural, cultural and historical attractions, including the birthplaces of many outstanding personalities like Ferdiš Duša, a graphic artist, painter and ceramist from Frýdlant nad Ostravicí; Jiří Hanzelka, a traveler, publicist and writer from Štramberk; Emil Zátopek, Olympic athlete; Petr Bezruč, poet; and Leoš Janáček, composer. Follow in the footsteps of these major personages, visit museums and galleries or take a walk back into time long ago in the many castles and ruins available in this region.The Beskydy belong to those regions with such an abundance of cultural traditions that you encounter them with practically every step. Today they are evident in both the folk festivals that showcase scores of the best ensembles specializing in folk music and dance, and the unique experience of the second oldest music festival in the Czech Republic, the Janáček Music of Lachia. Its regularly prepared programs, inspired by the relationship between that genius of modern music, Leoš Janáček, and his native Lachia, have been supplemented by the newly established Janáček Hukvaldy Festival. Also drawing visitors to the region is an exceptional collection of rare and well-preserved folk architecture which, in view of their number and historical significance, is dominated by more than twenty wooden chapels (like those in Bílá, and Prašivá) and structures built during the course of five centuries (e.g. on Pustevny, in Štramberk). Given the concentration, diversity and excellent condition of individual buildings, they are considered unique in central Europe.The Museum of the Beskydy in Frýdek-Místek offers visitors a complete exposition on the history and ethnography of the Beskydy region.

For accommodations, you can choose from a wide variety of inns, hotels, and apartments with an extensive range of services. Everywhere you go, you are welcomed by agreeable, smiling people.The Beskydy are famous for the local cuisine, excellent beer and homemade spirits. The traditional cuisine and customs of this region and its people, together with the experience of traveling around the Beskydy, will inspire you to come back and discover other unfamiliar wonders.

Skiing in the Beskydy goes back many years.In wintertime ski lifts bring you up to the slopes for a bit of downhill skiing, up to the ridges where you can try some cross-country skiing or else hiking on many diversified trails. The ski slopes (Pustevny, Bílá, Mezivodí, Grůň, Morávka, Malenovice and many others) offer excellent conditions for skiers during the winter season and ideal terrain for cross-country skiers with dozens of kilometers of prepared trails. Those places where you see people playing the ever more popular game of golf during summertime are turned into a course for cross-country treks during wintertime, and include regular upkeep.

Enthusiasts for walking, cycling and horseback riding, as well as paragliders and mountain bikers, also come here to enjoy themselves. Hikers along mountain trails will be enthralled by a wilderness that looks amazing throughout the entire year.If you can?t go without your bike during the holiday, come visit us here in the Beskydy. You will be completely won over by ideal places to bike. On offer is an extensive network of marked bike trails not only for families with children, but also for those seeking a more arduous experience. The more difficult trails lead all the way to the top of some mountains. Another favorite is the theme bike trail, which involves a bus line carrying you and your bike from surrounding cities to recreational areas like Ostravice and Bílá, where you can then proceed on to a particular marked trail. The Beskydy are also full of trails that cover long distances across borders like the Beskydy-Carpathian Way (276 km). Jantarová stezka (The Amber Trail) (303 km) follows along traditional trading routes used long ago.

The Beskydy also has abundant water resources for swimming, water sports and fishing.But there are other ways to actively rest and relax in the Beskydy. The region offers wellness and relaxation centers, water parks, beer and herbals spas, and many other facilities.The golf courses in Čeládná, Ropice and Ostravice speak for themselves. Even the most demanding player can avail himself on courses from those with short distances between the holes up to those where championship tournaments have been played.

No doubt everyone will find something interesting to do in the Beskydy.Set off on an excursion through the Beskydy Mountains and trails and enjoy the beautiful panorama of this magnificent mountain range. The Beskydy region is characterized by the three most essential factors for a comfortable and satisfying stay: nature, culture and adventure. It?s simply up to you to try our offer; then up to us to see to it that you come back as often as possible!