Pustevny

Pustevny (1,018 m above sea level) is a mountain saddle in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids near Radhošť, belonging to the village of Prostřední Bečva in the Vsetín district. The name refers to the hermits who lived here until 1874 – it is after them that the saddle was named.

The area's greatest landmark and visual centrepiece is its distinctive wooden buildings, built in folk style at the end of the 19th century to a design by the architect Dušan Jurkovič. These buildings give the place its unmistakable atmosphere and are among the best-known examples of folk-style architecture in the region. Walking among them is an experience in itself and, for many visitors, the main reason to make the trip to the saddle.

Pustevny is also a lively year-round tourist hub. There is a ski resort here, reached by chairlift, which makes the place easily accessible for families and less experienced hikers too. In 2019 the panoramic Valaška Trail was opened below the Tanečnice peak – a viewing route offering views of the surrounding Beskid ridges from an unusual perspective, which quickly became one of the area's main draws.

Its location near Radhošť makes Pustevny an ideal starting point for hiking along the ridges of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids. Winter brings skiing and snowy walks, summer brings hikes, viewpoints and folk architecture to explore. To enjoy Pustevny to the fullest – from Jurkovič's buildings through the Valaška Trail to a trip up Radhošť – it's worth planning a multi-day stay in the area and savouring the mountain setting without rushing, whether with snow underfoot or amid the blooming Beskid landscape.