The name 'Gutské peklo' literally means 'Guty's Hell' — and one step into this wild nature reserve in the Czech Beskydy mountains and you'll understand why. Plunging slopes, cascading waterfalls and ancient beech forests make this one of the most dramatic and untouched corners of the entire protected landscape area.

The reserve spreads across the steep northern slopes of the Javorový massif, at elevations between 655 and 1012 metres, cradling the headwaters of Oldřichovický stream. These slopes are among the steepest in the whole Beskydy CHKO — averaging 28° and reaching up to a jaw-dropping 54° in places. Tiered waterfalls up to five metres high punctuate the stream as it tumbles through near-natural beech and maple forest. Spring meltwater turns the cascades into their most powerful show, while autumn transforms the forest into a blaze of amber and gold. Winter brings ice and makes the terrain seriously challenging — best left to experienced hikers with proper equipment.

• Start from the villages of Guty or Oldřichovice near Třinec — terrain is steep and demanding, sturdy hiking boots required; difficulty: demanding

• The area is a protected nature reserve — stay on marked trails at all times
• Part of the Natura 2000 European network (Beskydy site)
• Total protected area: 37.46 ha, with an additional 14.79 ha buffer zone

A geological rarity hidden within the reserve are 'mury' — debris and mud flows that have carved the uniquely rugged relief of these slopes over centuries, making Gutské peklo as geologically fascinating as it is visually stunning.