Through the White Opava Valley towards Praded (20.08.08)

The Czech Sudetes and picturesque nature...

There is an amazing rout where Karlova Studanka finishes and gives its place to a wonderful waterfall land. It leads towards hill Ovcarnia (1300 m above the sea level) through a very picturesque region. Unfortunately. I crossed it in fog, so the charm of the valley was hidden behind the thick curtain. But on the other hand... the real beauty doesn't get scared even of the fog!


The rout is full of fallen trees, here and there a wooden bridge leads upwards, a waterfall falls down a rocky wall. Sometimes a bridge is replaced by a tiny footbridge, the rich green attracts your sight, yellow, purple and blue flowers ask shyly for attention. Ohs and ahs everywhere and a big regret that the weather doesn't emphasize the beauty of wonderful views.



After 5 km we finally reach a mountain hotel Ovcarnia. There's a bus stop opposite, one more hotel and a view of Pradad! On the highest mountain (1491,3 m above sea level) of the East Sudetes a RTV tower. It's covered by fog but still it seems to be quite close. But it's not. Te asphalt way doesn't lead straight to the mountain. The signs mislead, as well. Once they say 1,5 km ad then, after 0,5 km they claim it's still 1,5 km to reach Praded. The peak seems to be far away, the again quite close. It must be there, over the next turn! Quite the opposite. The fog is getting thicker and surrounds the hills around. Maybe a short cut? What about getting out of the asphalt and go through the grass...?



Ok. I stick to the rout. Finally the last stretch. I see the tower in front of me. The wind blows strongly and it gets cold. Visibility: quite poor. But I reached the peak! Welcome Praded.



Normally, you could climb the tower and view the surroundings from its top. But there's no point in doing that today. You wouldn't see anything. What you can also do is to hire a scooter and drive down towards Ovcarnia. No, thank you. The way back seems to be even whiter. For few minutes I can't see more than 10 meters ahead. Maybe less. Hm, it would be cool to play hide and sick now!

The asphalt isn't nice at all. It's almost like way towards Morskie Oko. Almost...