Rozštípená skála

Rozštípená skála is a small but distinctive rock outcrop in the Chřiby range, sitting on the northern rocky sub-peak of Bradlo hill (543 m), close to the village of Moravany in Moravia. The formation owes its name to a clearly visible crack splitting the rock mass, giving the impression that the block has been cleaved in two.

Where exactly is the rock located?

Rozštípená skála lies just off a hiking route that starts at the chapel in Koryčany — a short, roughly 200-metre blue-marked detour branches off the main trail and leads directly to the rock. This makes the site easy to reach for hikers without requiring any technical terrain, even though the surrounding area of Bradlo has the typically hilly, densely forested character of the Chřiby hills.

What is the rock made of?

Like most rock formations across the Chřiby hills, Rozštípená skála is built from solid layers of the so-called Lukov Formation, part of the Magura Flysch nappe of the Carpathians. This type of rock — hard sandstone interbedded with shale — is responsible for the many scenic outcrops and rocky ridges scattered throughout the region, standing out clearly from the gentler relief of the surrounding hills.

How did the crack in the rock form?

The characteristic fissure that gave the site its name is the result of natural frost-weathering and erosion acting on exposed sandstone over thousands of years. Water seeping into microscopic cracks froze and expanded, gradually widening the split until it produced the clearly visible fracture that today divides the rock mass into two distinct parts.

Why is it worth a visit?

Rozštípená skála is one of many viewpoints and geological curiosities scattered along the ridges of the Chřiby hills — a range that, despite its modest elevation, is known for dense forests, rocky towers, and a network of well-marked hiking trails. For anyone exploring the area around Koryčany and Moravany, the rock is a natural, easy stop to add to a route, offering a close look at the forces of nature shaping stone, plus a shaded rest spot on the way between the chapel and the summit of Bradlo.

How do you get there?

The usual starting point is the chapel in Koryčany, from where a marked blue trail leads towards Bradlo. Once you reach the branching point, simply follow the short, roughly 200-metre side path leading straight to the rock. Given the short distance involved, a trip to Rozštípená skála suits both experienced hikers and families with children looking for a brief but rewarding destination within the Chřiby forests.

Frequently asked questions

Can you climb at the rock? The outcrop is not a large-scale climbing site comparable to the region's bigger crags — it functions primarily as a hiking destination and viewpoint along the trail, and anyone considering climbing should check local site-protection rules first.

Is the trail difficult? No — the approach from the chapel in Koryčany along the main trail, followed by the short 200-metre detour, is relatively easy and does not require special fitness preparation.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The Chřiby range offers a network of well-marked trails connecting various hills and rock formations, making it easy to combine a visit to Rozštípená skála with a longer hike across the surrounding peaks.