Overview
Radhošť from Tanečnice Radegast statue The wooden chapel on top of Radhošť Kněhyně in autumn Radhošť in winter Trail to Radhošť from Pustevny Pustevny chalets
This page intends to present one mountain with multiple tops, in the Czech Beskides. For many reasons, I thought one page was widely enough instead of repeating most of the content : The most famous top (Radhošť) is not the highest (Kněhyně), and the mountain owns a couple more, not very distant from each other. And most hikers tend to visit all at once.
Since the neighbouring
Lysá Hora, queen of the area, is kind of defigurated (radio transmitter on top, road, many buildings), many locals believe this massif is the most beautiful of this area. Culturally speaking, there is a lot to say about it as well, for many reasons that were already described in the
Beskidy page.
* Radhošť, 1129m, is the southernmost top. There is a small transmitter, a wooden chapel from 1898, a statue of Cyril and Metodĕj, a mountain hut,
Horský hotel Radegast. During times of Slavic antiquity, a sacred ceremony, which rejoiced the god of Radegast, took place here. Pilgrimages take place to the chapel. A bit earlier on the trail leading to it stand a statue of the local pagan god Radegast. Radhošť is also a popular
mountainbiking goal, with a suitable trail (page on MBPost).
*
Pustevny is a group of huts and a
ski resort located at the eponym pass, around 1020m of height. A road open to cars (but paying car park) serves it. Some accomodations like
Chata Šumná are available there. But the most interesting is certainly the group of painted huts, designed and buit by the 19th century architect Dušan Jurkovič, mixing Art Nouveau with traditional vernacular
wooden architecture of the Carpathians. The result is surprising and very worth seeing. Some
other of his masterpieces are to be seen in CZ.
* Heading North from Pustevny is located a peaklet named Tanečnice (1084m). This "bump" can be avoided by the green trail below, east.
* Čertův Mlýn is the next peaklet located in the continuity (1205m). It is a natural reserve.
* The northernmost and culminating point is Kněhyně (1257m), after a sharp turn left on Čertův Mlýn. Kněhyně, contrary to the two previous ones, owns a couple of clearings on the top, unveiling some fine views.
The whole mountain, mostly made of sandstone, is pleinty of underground passages and caves. The most famous is Volárka, approximately 200 meters eastward from Radhošť. Another one is located on Kněhyně.
Finally, speaking about the fauna, the Czech are quite proud to announce this area is hosting not less than 3 kind of predators, like the lynx, the wolf, and the bear...
And don't forget to give the village of
Štramberk a visit if you're around !
Kněhyně from Trojanovice Getting There
Lysá Hora from Radhošť SE view from Radhošť Cairn on top of Kněhyně Trail to Radhošť from Pustevny Trail to Radhošť from Pustevny Trail to Radhošť from Pustevny Signs on the top of Radhošť Follow the direction :)
Depending on where you come from :
- From Prague, take the direction to Oloumouc and then Nový Jičín.
- From Poland, cross the border to Ostrava and take the direction to Frýdek-Místek
- From Slovakia, take the direction of Žilina and cross the border
For all three options, you must then reach Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, and then Postredni Becva to catch the road leading to Pustveny.
Another trailhead is Trojanovice, on the north side of the mountain, best reached from Kunčice pod Ondřejníkem.
View Larger Map
Radhošť from Trojanovice
Red Tape
All predators !
On the natural reserves like Čertův Mlýn, do not camp, do not make fires, etc etc.
Do not try to park wildly at Pustevny ! The car park costs less than calling the police to remove the blocker on the wheel ;)
Radhošť from Tanečnice
Accomodation
Princess Libusia in front of her cottage Pustevny chalets Trail to Kněhyně from Čertův Mlýn Kněhyně from Čertův Mlýn
* Wild-Camping : out of the protected areas (Čertův Mlýn), it is in theory possible (or tolerated ?) but remember that this region hosts predators of all sorts.
*
Official campsites & accomodations: many in the valleys, especially around the town of Frenštát pod Radhoštěm.
* Mountain huts :
-
Horský hotel Radegast on Radhošť
-
Chata Šumná on the Pustevny pass
Last option :) Map & routes
Trails under Čertův Mlýn Hiking down Kněhyně :) Chalets in Pustevny Hut in Pustevny Detail on Pustevny chalets Detail on Pustevny chalets
Riding up from Trojanovice