The best gravel rides around Králický Sněžník

The first mention of the development of Śnieżnik Mountain dates back to 1809, when the owner of Międzygórze, Count Wilhelm von Magnis, built barns and shepherd's huts on the mountain pasture below Śnieżnik. In 1838, Międzygórze was purchased by Princess Marianna of Orange, the Lady of Kamieniec Ząbkowicki – daughter of the King of the Netherlands and wife of a Prussian prince. In 1840, she invited her father, King Wilhelm, with whom she reached the summit of Śnieżnik on July 20th. In 1869, the Duchess took over the land on the mountain pasture below Śnieżnik. She commissioned a highlander from Switzerland to build a Swiss mountain hut (Schweizerei am Schneeberg or Schweizerei auf dem Schneeberg) on the mountain pasture below Śnieżnik, which now forms the main part of the mountain hut. Construction was completed in 1871. The building initially served as a tourist inn, with 50 beds and a large dining hall. In the following years, the buildings were modernized several times. In 1872, utility rooms were built on the site of an old dairy farm. In 1880, a meteorological station was opened at the inn. In the 1930s, the inn had 30 beds. After World War II, the building stood empty until 1946. The dilapidated buildings were taken over by "Orbis," renaming it "Szwajcarka." In 1947, the Polish Tatra Mountain Shelter Board took over. The following summer, a shelter was opened, named "Na Śnieżniku" to distinguish it from the "Szwajcarka" shelter in Rudawy Janowickie. In 1950, the building became the property of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society. At that time, the shelter had 63 beds. In the 1980s, the shelter was thoroughly modernized and renovated thanks to the efforts of its then-lessee, Zbigniew Fastnacht, who managed the facility from 1982 to 2001. After his death, in recognition of his achievements, the shelter was named after him.

WoW was a highlight of our hike on the EB.

The Králický Sněžník National Nature Reserve encompasses the central and peak parts of this mountain range and was established in 1990. Covering nearly 1,700 hectares, it protects natural ecosystems, including subalpine meadows, peat bogs, and fragments of primeval spruce forests. These mountains have a fascinating geological structure – the glacier shaped their relief, leaving behind rocky seas, cirques, and karst caves in the upper Morava River valley. They are also home to rare plant and animal species, such as the omiegi, the hazel grouse, and the mountain bluebell. For gravel cyclists, the reserve offers attractive yet challenging terrain – it's worth being prepared for long climbs and variable weather conditions.

A mountain hike in the Dolni Morava ski area with unique experiences and impressions. The first destination after the approximately one-hour ascent is to cross the currently second-longest suspension bridge, the "Sky Bridge 721." Height difference: 91 meters to the ground. After a short walk back, past old World War II shooting ranges and information boards about the history of the area, we continue to the Sky Walk, a unique shooting range. (Warm clothing, long pants, and a windproof jacket are recommended. It's usually very windy on the Sky Walk (we're at an altitude of almost 1200 meters). As a reward, you can treat yourself to the longest coaster, the "CZ," and the second-longest summer toboggan run in Europe. Alternatively, you can take the chairlift or walk down the ski slopes to the valley to the starting point.

The shelter has very good water from its own well, I wouldn't be surprised if it was from this source.

It is better to book a place to stay in advance, the food is OK, the prices are like in other shelters in Poland, you have to take into account that there is no Wi-Fi on the premises of the shelter, and the mobile internet is so-so.

Connection line across the Morava River between the yellow traffic light and the asphalt service road.

Great descent and the second part of the Ostoja Loop. Through the forest, so there are roots, but apart from that it is not an extremely difficult route. After about 4km you can't miss the brilliant waterfall right next to the route!