Malá Morávka: Skiing, Nature and Regional Experiences

Malá Morávka combines winter sports in Karlov, protected nature, traces of history and regional traditions. This gives families and other travelers a range of options: You can combine days on the slopes with short routes, discover nature-focused information stations or experience regional cuisine at the recurring Blueberry Festivals.

Skiing in Karlov

Ski Arena Karlov has six blue runs with gentle slopes. Three ski schools with professional ski instructors are available there for children and adults. The skiing experience also includes evening skiing in Karlov, with two express chairlifts and 5,300 m of illuminated ski runs. Karlov therefore offers concrete options both for a classic day of skiing and for winter sports in the evening. The gentle slope describes the character of the runs, while lessons at the ski schools add another focus to the day on the slopes.

Educational Trails Through the Landscape and Nature

The Velká kotlina educational trail begins in Karlov pod Pradědem and follows the Moravice River through the Praděd National Nature Reserve. Its 11 stations focus on botany, zoology and geology. A shorter option is the Kolem Ježkova Lesa route: It is 1.5 km long and designated as a family route for the youngest children, as well as for pedestrians, cyclists and mountain scooter riders. The trail starts in the parking lot at the lower station of the Karlov Ski Express. Its length of 1.5 km provides a concrete reference point when planning a shorter family outing.

Javorový vrch: Nature Conservation and History

Javorový vrch in Malá Morávka is one of the five most important wintering sites in the Czech Republic for the barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus), the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) and the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros). The Javorový vrch Site of European Importance is not open to the public. The mountain's history also reaches far back: Devonian iron ore was mined in the mines on Javorový vrch from approximately the 13th century until 1870. The area's natural and mining history represent two distinct ways of approaching the mountain; the protected area is not open to the public.

Church and Regional Traditions

A cultural landmark in Malá Morávka is the new parish Church of the Holy Trinity. It was completed in 1793 and ceremonially consecrated on October 22, 1793. The recurring Blueberry Festivals shape the culinary character of Malá Morávka, Karlov pod Pradědem and the surrounding area. They offer fresh chilled blueberries, blueberry beer, blueberry dumplings and blueberry cake. During the event, a free “Blueberry Line” connects the official restaurants in Malá Morávka and Karlov pod Pradědem. The church and ore mining thus connect two different historical layers of the region.

Which Location Fits Your Plans?

When looking for accommodation, you can take your trip's main focuses into account: Karlov is associated with Ski Arena, evening skiing and the starting points for routes, while Malá Morávka also represents the church, local history and the regional Blueberry Festivals. This allows you to choose a location based on the experiences you want, without mixing up the area's different themes.

If you would like to research destinations beyond Malá Morávka: Roudno, Mezina, Brantice, Třemešná, Krnov, Razová, Vysoká and Město Albrechtice.

To the higher-level travel overview: Bruntál District.