Radeška

Radeška is a 671-metre summit in the Oderské vrchy (Odra Mountains), part of the Low Jeseníky range in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It ranks as the third-highest peak in the entire Oderské vrchy range — and it happens to sit inside one of the most restricted patches of land in the country: the Libavá military training area (Vojenský újezd Libavá).

Where exactly is Radeška?

The hill rises in the northeastern part of the Low Jeseníky, within the former military district of Libavá, a short drive south of Ostrava and east of Olomouc. Its summit sits at roughly 49.634°N, 17.511°E. Just a few hundred metres from the top lies the Radeška peat bog, one of the ecologically most valuable spots inside the entire training ground — a sizeable complex of wet meadows and peatland.

Can you actually hike up Radeška? The Libavá military area explained

This is the detail every visitor needs before planning anything: Vojenský újezd Libavá is an active military training ground, closed to the public on ordinary days. Only the settlements that lie within its boundaries — Město Libavá, Heroltovice, Kozlov, Luboměř pod Strážnou and Slavkov — remain freely accessible; everywhere else, leaving marked roads and trails without district-office permission is prohibited. Breaking that rule is treated as an offence under the Czech Republic's Defence Act, punishable by a fine of up to 100,000 CZK.

Once a year, usually around May 1st, the area opens its gates to hikers and cyclists for the "Bílý kámen" (White Stone) tourist event — in practice the only regular, permit-free chance to get close to Radeška and its surroundings. On any other day, entry requires an individual permit issued by the district authority, granted mainly to residents, military staff or other officials with a specific reason to be there.

What makes the area around the summit worth knowing about?

Ironically, decades of restricted access have kept the landscape around Radeška unusually wild. The peat bog at its foot is one of the largest complexes of wet meadows and peatland anywhere in the training area — habitats of this kind have become rare across Central Europe, where most comparable wetlands were drained long ago for farming. With little to no tourist or agricultural pressure for years, the natural plant communities typical of upland peat bogs have had space to persist largely undisturbed.

Is it worth planning a trip here?

For hikers who can only make it once a year, the "Bílý kámen" event is the one date worth marking on the calendar — a rare legal opportunity to see the summit and its surrounding nature up close, without risking a conflict with the training ground's rules. On any other day, the safer plan is to stick to the freely accessible villages inside the district, or to explore the wider Low Jeseníky range from routes that stay outside the restricted zone.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Radeška? 671 metres above sea level.

Where is Radeška located? In the Oderské vrchy (Odra Mountains), part of the Low Jeseníky, in the Olomouc Region, inside the Libavá military training area.

Can visitors normally hike to the summit? No — the area is closed to the public on regular days. The one exception is the annual opening of the district, usually around May 1st, for the "Bílý kámen" event.

What's notable near the peak? The Radeška peat bog, one of the largest complexes of wet meadows and peatland within the whole training ground.

What happens if someone enters the restricted zone without permission? It's treated as an offence under the Czech Defence Act, carrying a fine of up to 100,000 CZK.