Račí údolí is a hidden gem of a nature reserve tucked just 3 km south of the town of Javorník in the Jeseník region — a place where ancient beech and oak forests feel almost primeval, and every walk brings a new discovery. From a natural rock viewpoint overlooking the whole valley to medieval ruins and a charming Art Nouveau building still in use today, this valley has real character.

The reserve stretches between 348 and 532 metres above sea level, covering more than 62 hectares of forest with an old-growth feel. Beeches, lindens and oaks dominate the canopy, while the Račí stream winds through the valley floor and eventually flows across the border into the Odra river basin in Poland. Spring fills the forest with birdsong — black storks and river otters are among the protected species here. Summer brings cool, humid shade, perfect for escaping the heat. Autumn turns the valley into a spectacular palette of golds and reds, and winter offers peaceful, snow-muffled solitude. The standout natural feature is Čertova kazatelna ('Devil's Pulpit'), a gneiss rock formation that serves as a natural lookout with views across the entire valley.

How to get there

• Javorník (town parking) — blue trail, approx. 30–45 min to Čertova kazatelna, difficulty: easy to moderate
• The ruins of Pustý zámek castle are accessible along the blue trail — terrain relics visible freely

Practical information

• Račí údolí is a protected nature reserve — please stay on marked trails
• Barriers are planned at the most exposed sections near Čertova kazatelna to protect vegetation
• The stream is home to protected crayfish, reintroduced in cooperation with the Czech Ministry of the Environment
• The Tančírna hall (former Georgshalle, built 1907) is a listed Art Nouveau monument since 2019 and still hosts cultural events

The 14th-century Pustý zámek once served as a watchtower for Rychleby Castle — today only earthwork remnants survive, lending the valley a quietly mysterious atmosphere that is hard to forget.