Medůvka

Medůvka is a compact but highly regarded rock formation in eastern Moravia, sitting atop a hill of roughly 608 metres, a short walk from the village of Brňov, which administratively belongs to Valašské Meziříčí in the Vsetín district. The rocks lie in the northwestern part of the Vsetín Hills, tucked away in forest and reached via a blue-marked hiking trail.

What kind of rock formation is this?

Medůvka consists of one main tower flanked by two smaller outlying rocks. It is not an imposing massif in terms of size, but its reputation among climbers far outweighs its modest footprint. The site was only discovered for climbing in the early 1980s, a comparatively late date given how demanding its routes turned out to be.

What is Medůvka made of?

The formation is built from steeply dipping, coarse-grained arkosic sandstones and conglomerates of the Rusava Beds, part of the Zlín Formation within the Račany Unit of the Magura Flysch, dated to the Middle Eocene. Core drilling has confirmed the typical flysch alternation here: thick to medium-grained arkosic sandstone layers interbedded with thin bands, up to 0.6 metres, of black-grey and brown-grey clay. Mechanical and selective weathering have carved numerous small erosional features into the rock surface — niches, grooves and other microforms that draw the interest of geologists as much as climbers.

Why do climbers travel here?

Despite its small size, Medůvka ranks among the most difficult sandstone climbing areas in Moravia. Several dozen routes have been established on its faces, some reaching the ninth grade on the UIAA scale — a level rarely matched on Moravian sandstone. It is precisely this concentration of hard routes, rather than sheer scale, that has made Medůvka one of the region's most significant climbing destinations.

How do you get there?

Most visitors start out from Valašské Meziříčí or the neighbouring village of Brňov. A marked blue trail leads through the forest to the rocks, reinforcing the sense that this is a hidden, low-key spot rather than a major tourist attraction.

Frequently asked questions

Is Medůvka a mountain, a park, or climbing rocks? It is a rock formation — one tower plus two smaller outlying rocks — on top of a modest hill, known chiefly as a climbing site.

Where exactly is Medůvka located? In the northwestern part of the Vsetín Hills, near the village of Brňov, which falls under Valašské Meziříčí in the Vsetín district.

What kind of rock is Medůvka made of? Steeply dipping arkosic sandstones and conglomerates of the Rusava Beds within the Zlín Formation, dating to the Middle Eocene, with visible small-scale weathering forms.

Is Medůvka suitable for beginner climbers? Not really — the site is known for its difficulty, with routes reaching the ninth UIAA grade, making it a destination better suited to experienced climbers.

How do you reach the rocks? Via a blue-marked hiking trail through the forest, most conveniently starting from Valašské Meziříčí or Brňov.