Bouřňák

Bouřňák is a mountain in the Ore Mountains, standing within the municipality of Moldava on the Czech side of the range. It's a natural stop for anyone hiking or skiing along this stretch of the Czech-German borderland, since the massif ranks among the more important ski areas in the entire Ore Mountains.

Where exactly is Bouřňák?

The summit sits inside the municipality of Moldava, in the Czech part of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory / Erzgebirge), close to the border with Germany. The range runs along the state border and has long served as a year-round recreation area on both sides. The peak's coordinates are roughly 50.685°N, 13.707°E, placing it in the central section of the Czech Ore Mountains.

What is there to see?

The standout natural feature on Bouřňák is a windswept beech forest covering the northeastern slope of the summit. A 3.26-hectare stretch of this forest has been protected since 1979 as a natural monument. It's a striking example of how relentless wind on the exposed upper ridges of the Ore Mountains shapes vegetation over decades — the beeches here grow low and twisted, bent into forms that let them survive constant gusts.

Beyond its ecological value, Bouřňák is above all a skiing destination. The slopes around the mountain are counted among the best-known in the whole Ore Mountains range, which makes the area a natural draw for winter visitors from both the Czech Republic and neighboring Germany.

How do you get to Bouřňák?

The gateway is the municipality of Moldava itself, right on the Czech-German border in the northwest of the Czech Republic. The Ore Mountains region is well connected to larger towns on both sides of the frontier, and local roads lead directly toward the slopes and trails around the summit. This is a destination best reached by car, especially if you're planning a longer stay in the border area.

When should you visit?

In winter, Bouřňák revolves around skiing — as one of the region's more significant ski areas, the snow season brings the largest number of visitors. In summer and autumn, it's worth coming for a hike instead, to see the wind-sculpted beech forest and experience the open, rugged landscape of the upper Ore Mountains. Spring and early summer offer a quieter alternative, before the seasonal crowds arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bouřňák? It's a mountain in the Czech part of the Ore Mountains, within the municipality of Moldava, known as one of the more important ski areas in the whole range.

What makes the forest here special? The northeastern slope holds a windswept beech forest covering 3.26 hectares, protected since 1979 as a natural monument — its trees have a distinctive, wind-bent shape.

Is Bouřňák a good destination for skiing? Yes — the area is among the best-known ski destinations in the Ore Mountains and draws winter visitors from both the Czech Republic and nearby Germany.

Is it worth visiting outside the ski season? Yes, summer and autumn are good for hiking here, letting you see the protected beech forest and the open highland scenery of the Czech-German borderland.