Zimný

Zimný is a scenic ridge point in the Silesian-Moravian Beskids, roughly 1.9 km from Lysá hora — the highest peak of the range — above the village of Krasna (Krásná) in the Frýdek-Místek district on the Czech side of the Carpathians. It sits at around 1081 metres above sea level and marks a well-known landmark on the popular route climbing from the valley up onto the ridge of the Beskids.

How do you get to Zimný?

The starting point is Krasna itself, a village at about 500 m above sea level nestled below Lysá hora, between the settlements of Malenovice, Ostravice and Staré Hamry. From the village, the trail follows the Jestřábí stream valley, with an easy, gentle climb along the water at first. After roughly 2 km it reaches the Jestřábí chalet (around 600 m), where the ascent turns noticeably steeper — the next stretch of barely 2 km gains almost 300 metres of elevation, bringing you to the Jestřábí saddle at 906 m. From there the ridge trail continues past the Zimný junction and on toward the summit of Lysá hora (1323 m), roughly 11 km from Krasna in total. The route suits both hikers and mountain or trekking bikes.

What will you see along the way?

Zimný is essentially a forested ridge point where gaps in the tree cover open up views toward the surrounding ridgelines — Šebestýna, Prašivá and Travný — and, on a clear day, the silhouette of the TV transmitter on the summit of Lysá hora. Most of the route runs through dense beech and spruce forest typical of the Silesian-Moravian Beskids, with occasional clearings that reward the climb with a proper panorama. Nearby, on the eastern slopes of the Lysá hora massif, you'll also find the Zimný stream and a small waterfall of the same name, a worthwhile detour for anyone willing to step off the main trail for a few minutes.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring, summer and early autumn are the best times to hike the Zimný stretch toward Lysá hora, when the trail is dry and the views through the forest gaps are at their clearest. In summer the route is popular with mountain bikers, for whom the steep climb from the Jestřábí chalet forms part of a longer loop along the Silesian-Moravian Beskids ridge. In winter, this section — true to its name, which means "cold" or "wintry" in Slovak and Czech — tends to hold snow longer than the lower valley, so proper winter gear is worth packing, especially for the climb to the Jestřábí saddle and beyond.

Frequently asked questions

How high up is Zimný? The point sits at roughly 1081 metres above sea level, on the ridge leading from the Krasna area toward Lysá hora.

How far is it from Krasna to Zimný and on to Lysá hora? The full route from Krasna to Lysá hora runs about 10.9 km, with Zimný as a scenic waypoint roughly 1.9 km before the summit itself.

Is the route through Zimný difficult? The initial stretch along the Jestřábí stream is gentle, but the segment between the chalet and the Jestřábí saddle (just under 2 km) gains about 300 metres of elevation, making it the toughest part before reaching the ridge.

Is there anything else worth seeing near Zimný? Yes — on the eastern slopes of Lysá hora nearby, the Zimný stream flows past a small waterfall, a popular short detour from the main trail.