The Czech Republic is surrounded by countries offering great mountains areas such as Alps in Austria and Germany or Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. Though, there are also very beautiful mountains spots directly in Czech. Enjoy the reading and even more importantly enjoy your own exploration through these areas.
1. Rychlebske hory
It might be the case that you have never heard of these mountains. Rychlebske hory are located at the far end of the country near a town called Jesenik. It takes quite some time to get to this area. The infrastructure is not as developed as in other parts of the country. But if you are looking for a quite spot, real nature in its purest form, beautiful scenery and trails that are not overcrowded by tourists, go and explore these forgotten mountains in the North-East.
2. Sumava mountains
Sumava mountains are located in the south-eastern Bohemia on the border line with Austria and Bavaria/Germany. Sumava offers great cross-country skiing and cycling opportunities. The majority of the landscape in these mountains are covered with deep forests and therefore Sumava can be called as forest mountains. Due to its location nearby borderline, part of this area was closed for public during the communism era and many original German speaking villages were not populated any more after the WWII. Sumaba therefore has a very unique atmosphere as well as preserved nature beauty. If you enjoy beautiful hilly landscapes with woods all around you, this is a great place for you to visit.
3. Brdy
The Brdy mountains appeared recently on the list of must visit hiking places in Czech. Brdy are located in the south of Prague. The ridge starts nearby Mnisek pod Brdy and continues toward Pribram and Rozmitat pod Tremsinem. This area used to be closed for public for many years and was used only by the army forces for the training purposes. The wild and undiscovered character of these mountains is an attractive attribute why many hikers as well as families with kids start exploring this region.
4. Beskydy and Hostynske vrchy
Beskydy and Hostyndke vrchy are located at the most eastern part of the country and create a natural borderline with Slovakia. These Moravian mountains are pretty different from other mountains in Czech. There is no main ridge, instead many rounded hills are located literally next to each other. Beskydy and Hostynske vrchy have been also historically populated by Czech (or Moravian :-)) speaking inhabitants and therefore did not experience any big changes in populations as other mountains areas. Local people still keep old traditions in their original form. It is worth visiting also the museum in Roznov, where you can walk through the traditional local village and town as well as try delicatessen that this region offers.
5. Krusne hory
Krusne hory are mountains located on the borderline with Saxony/Germany. This mountains are in one way similar to Sumava due to their popularity among cross-country skiers and bikers. On the other hand, the nature is not so pure as in Sumava due to the intensive mining and heavy industry built in this region. The nature in Krusne hory is slowly recovering and nowadays becomes again a popular spot for weekend travelers and mountains fans. Beside the nature, you can also visit historical places and learn about the not that far history of this area, i.e. the uranium mining industry in the Jachymov area.
6. Jeseniky mountains
Jeseniky are the highest mountains in Moravia. The highest mountain is called Praded (1491 m. above the sea level). Jeseniky offer a wide range of natural beauty and therefore many areas are protected by ecologists, who do not allow massive construction of ski or hotel resorts. This is a great message for pure nature lovers. The main ridge around Praded is pretty popular especially during the summer and winter months but even in this peak season is still worth visiting. There are also many other areas and hills in Jeseniky that are bit hidden and where you can enjoy the real quietness and simple being. If you want to explore the mountains in its full beauty within just one day, you can sign up for the Jesenicka 60, which is a contest organized every June when mountains fans are walking 60 kilometers through the whole Jeseniky ridge.
7. Krkonose mountains
Krkonose or in English Giant Mountains cannot be left out of any list of Czech mountains. Krkonose create natural borderline between Czech and Poland, are located in the north-east Bohemia just two hours driving from Prague. The highest mountain Snezka (1603 m. above the sea level) is also the highest mountain in the Czech Republic. Krkonose are beautiful in all seasons of the year. Krkonose are probably the best prepared mountains for tourists and visitors. In Krkonose, you can find a wide range of accommodation options as well as many restaurant, mountain cabins, buffets etc. Together with their beauty, this is the reason why they became so popular among people from Prague, who became next to locals the big lovers and frequent visitors of these biggest mountains in Czech.
8. Palava
Palava does not belong to mountains but comparing to its flat neighborhood covered with wine yards, it can already be considered as hilly area and therefore belongs to this list as well. Palava is located in the south Moravia. You do not meet here high mountain hikers but rather people, who love wine in all forms and who want to enjoy the beauty, hospitality and warm climate of this region. In the area around Palava there are many wine cycling paths. Bike is therefore the best mean of transport, how you can explore this region. And who would resist the delicious local wine.
There are more hilly and mountains areas to see and explore in the Czech Republic that this list shows. Nearby Prague you can visit Kokorinsko or Krivoklatsko area. The borderline to Germany can be crossed not only via Sumava or Krusne hory but also in Cesky or Slavkovsky les. In the middle of the Czech Republic, you can discover wide and also still wild Vysocina as well as Zdarske vrchy on its nothern end, which are further followed by Ceskomoravska vrchovina and Moravsky kras with its typical wide cave systems. In the north of the country, you can continue from Krkonose to Adrspach, Broumovske vrchy and Orlicke mountains on the Polish border or to Jizerke mountains on the western side and bordering with Germany.
Czech is a little country but has a lot of offer. Enjoy the exploration!
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