Trip to Dlouhé Stráně
Kouty nad Desnou - lookout tower at Tetřeví chaty, Medvědí hora - upper reservoir Dlouhé Stráně
Head to the largest pumping hydroelectric power plant in the Czech Republic. Dlouhé Stráně is a technical gem located in the heart of Jeseníky Mountains at an altitude of 1353 metres. On the top of Dlouhé Stráně is the upper reservoir of the ČEZ pumped storage power plant. It is the most powerful hydroelectric power plant in the Czech Republic. As an important Czech monument, it is even listed among the 7 local wonders of the World.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The starting point is the town square in Kouty nad Desnou, where the car park is located. There is a slide and a rope slide over the Desná River. We cross the bridge to the other side of the river, turn left and head to the platform of the six-seater cable car, which will take us almost 2 km and save us 500 metres of elevation gain. At the top station of the cableway is the lookout tower at the Tetřeví chata on Medvědí hora (1 095 m), providing wide views of the surrounding Jeseníky landscape. The lookout tower is 18 metres high. From here, there are routes for families with strollers along the asphalt path (4 km) or for hikers without prams along the forest path (2 km). At the top station of the cable car you can refresh yourself in the bar "U Medvěda".
The complete hike for the adventurous is 8.5 km long with quite a lot of elevation gain.
From Medvědí Hora you can also use the shuttle bus - a minibus that will take you to the parking lot below the dam of the upper reservoir. Then there are only 72 steps to climb. The shuttle only operates between May and October, always with the cable car running.
If you choose to use your bicycle as a means of transport to the upper reservoir, there is a 17 km climb from Kouty nad Desnou along an asphalt road that starts at the bridge under the Červenohorské sedlo and leads to the upper reservoir.
TIPS
You can choose between two excursions:
1. Power plant + trip to the lower reservoir and back to Kouty nad Desnou (excursion takes about 2 hours)
2. Power plant - trip to the lower and upper reservoir and back to Kouty nad Desnou (excursion lasts about 3 hours). This tour is only possible from May to November. In the winter months the road to the upper reservoir is impassable.
It is possible to rent a kick scooter for the descent from Dlouhé Stráně.
Kick scooters can be rented at the Helia Sport shop on Koutecké náměstí or directly at the upper reservoir of Dlouhé Stráně. The route offers an unbeatable sporting and scenic experience and its length is over 17 km, leading from the upper reservoir DS around the lower reservoir and then to the Kouty area. On the route you can enjoy views of the highest mountain of the Jeseníky Mountains and the highest point of the Czech Republic (the tip of the Praděd transmitter), watch the rocks that the Jeseníky peaks boast (Vozka, Keprník, Petrovy kameny), technical attractions of the local area and other interesting things that this landscape offers.
Kouty Bikepark - the largest bikepark in Moravia (4 trails). All trails start at the upper station of the Medvědí hora cable car and end at the lower station of Liščí potok
Borový vodopád (Pine waterfall), which is over 8 metres high, is located below the Medvědí hora. It springs in the saddle between Dlouhý Stráně at a height of about 1,280 metres. The route is less than 3 km long and leads from the bus stop Kouty nad Desnou.
Rysí skála (Lynx rock) with a view (for children)
A unique viewpoint with shelters on the Lynx Rock, easily accessible from the top cable car station in Kouty. The story, which features forest elves, fairy-tale creatures and the lord of the mountains, Praděd, is told in comic form on the boards at each stop, accompanied by information about the surrounding nature. The educational trail is also made up of wooden sculptures of animals and forest creatures, Praděd's hut, a lynx den and especially interactive elements of climbing frames and games for children.
DISTANCE
by car to Kouty nad Desnou: 21 km, on foot from the cable car to Dlouhé Stráně: 6 km
DURATION
by car to Kouty nad Desnou: 24 minutes, on foot from the cable car to Dlouhé Stráně: 3 hours (to there)
DIFFICULTY
medium, hilly terrain
SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN
yes
SUITABLE FOR STROLLERS
yes (modified route)
GPS COORDINATES
50.1001794N, 17.1108553E