Praděd – Ovčárna

Ovčárna lies at the foot of Praděd, the highest peak of the Hrubý Jeseník range (1,491 m above sea level), and is one of the best-known mountain bases in this part of Moravia. It is the starting point for expeditions to the summit itself, which is the highest mountain in Moravia, Czech Silesia and Upper Silesia, and the fifth-highest peak in the Czech Republic overall.

The summit above Ovčárna is dominated by a 146.5-metre television transmitter with an observation deck, whose upper platform is the highest point in the country – albeit an artificial one. Lying right beneath this landmark makes Ovčárna an ideal place to rest and a great launch point for panoramic views. The summit building with its restaurant falls administratively under the village of Malá Morávka in the Bruntál district.

The area is known for the harshest climate in the range – the average annual temperature here does not exceed 1°C. This gives the Jeseníky Mountains a long and reliable winter season, appreciated especially by snow and winter-sports lovers. In the colder months the area around Praděd and Ovčárna turns into a snowy mountain landscape, while summer draws hikers up to the highest point of the range.

A further point of interest nearby is the extensive frost-shattered cliff of Tabulové skály on the northern slope of Praděd, home to a unique flora. Ovčárna and Praděd sit on the historic land border between Moravia and Silesia, and on the boundary between the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions. For visitors, Ovčárna is a practical starting point: whether you're heading for the Jeseníky ridges or want to enjoy winter in the mountains, it's worth planning a stay in the foothills and taking advantage of the nearby highest peak for a multi-day trip without rushing.