Text: Michal Broda
Today I would like to introduce you to one perhaps a little less visited, but beautiful surroundings of Paprsek, which lies in the Rychlebské hory mountains, but at the same time is very close to both Kralický Sněžník and Hrubý Jeseník and lies about 20 km east of the town of Jeseník. We visited Paprsek last year during the holidays on bicycles and this January we spent three days there on a weekend.
Paprsek can be reached by road from Staré město, which is just under 11.3 km of continuous climbing along a path mostly through the trees and around the Kuncice stream. However, the road is very narrow, very difficult to pass in winter months and often cars must be pulled out of the snowdrifts by a tractor. In the snow it is an adrenaline experience. However, the place is beautiful both in summer and winter. In the summer, it is possible for the undemanding hiker to hike to Dalimil tower, which is just 2 km far and which is visible from Papersek. This tower is one of the newest onesin the Czech Republic and it was built between 2020 and 2021 and opened on July 9, 2021. It was built as a replica of a lookout tower that once stood on Kralický Sněžník between 1899 and 1973.
The Paprsek mountain hut was built by the Moravian-Silesian Student Mountain Association in 1931-1932. The mountain hut, situated at an altitude of 1022 m above sea level, was named the Silesian House (Schleslerhaus).
After World War II, the chalet became the property of the Czech state and was renamed as U Ráje. The surrounding area was a paradise for the eyes, so the nearby slopes of the border mountain Jivina are also a protected area called Ráj. After 1948, it eventually came under the ownership of TOS Olomouc and served as the Paprsek cottage for the recreation of the company’s employees.
In the 1970s, the accommodation capacity was increased by an extension and also by the first ski lift, which was converted into a two-seater chairlift in 2007-2009. In the same period, a wooden chapel was built near the chalet and the Vidoška chalet, which operates especially in the winter months for fast food. The latest addition was a building next to the chalet, called Chalet Paprsek – Silesian House, built in 2013, which increased the capacity and includes a wellness area for guests and the public.
Now we will focus more on winter tourism, especially cross-country skiing. Due to the higher location, the snowfall is usually sufficient, and you really can’t wear out your skis here. A short distance from the chalet is the Palaš signpost, from where several groomed cross-country ski trails lead.
In the 1970s, the accommodation capacity was increased by an extension and also by the first ski lift, which was converted into a two-seater chairlift in 2007-2009. In the same period, a wooden chapel was built near the chalet and also the Vidoška chalet, which operates especially in the winter months for fast food. The latest addition was a building next to the chalet, called Chalet Paprsek – Silesian House, built in 2013, which increased the capacity and includes a wellness area for guests and the public.
Now we will focus more on winter tourism, especially cross-country skiing. Due to the higher location, the snowfall is usually sufficient, and you really can’t wear out your skis here. A short distance from the chalet is the Palaš signpost, from where several groomed cross-country ski trails lead.
Trails – groomed circuits:
– Velký Šengen – 17.0 km
– Malý Šengen – 8.0 km
– Pohádka – 9.5 km
– Pralinka – 8.0 km
– Malá Pralinka – 3.0 km
– Trnová hora – Milíře – 12.0 km
– Medvědí – 5.5 km
– Ostružná (near the railway station) – Pod Stráží – Císařská hunting lodge – 5.0 km
– Medvědí bouda – Císařská hunting lodge – Černý potok – Petříkov – 9.0 km
– Smrk (border crossing) – Černý potok – 2.0 km
According to the quantity, each runner can choose according to his strength. The circuits are not too difficult and can be said to be mostly of medium category. Sometimes there are a bit steeper descent, but the trails are groomed, and you can plough nicely. The circuits also go partly through Polish territory, so you will meet number of our northern neighbours, but it is not a problem to get along with them.
Occasionally you’ll meet larger groups and sometimes you’re all alone and if the weather works out like it did for us, you’ll enjoy a winter fairy tale.
Finally, I want to pick up the excellent cuisine, where there were always plenty of snacks and drinks to replenish your vitamins after the trips, and even though you have to go and get everything yourself (the restaurant is self-service) – it doesn’t bother anyone at all. In the evenings there was even guitar playing and singing in the lodge, which we were glad for as we got to hear and sing a few older tremp hits.
I believe that if you visit here, winter or summer, you will be as delighted with the beauty as we were. Skol!
