Tatra Chamois

We left behind the Czech Bank Holiday crowds who were heading upwards to the reservoir we visited yesterday and, using our forest permit, ascended to a high parking place at the end of a deer trail. From there we walked up the forest road to take in the view of the Jeseniky Mountains and then took another deer trail in to the steeply sided forest. The trail contoured its way around several large spurs and deep re entrants, crossing streams. There was an abundance of wild flowers, some recognisable, others not. We saw not another soul till we reached the ski hotel on the Grand Praděd, but we were fortunate to see a small group of red deer cross our path and also two Tatra Chamoix. These were introduced to the Jeseniky Mountains 100 years ago from the Tatras to widen the diversity of the animal life but they are very rarely seen, so it was wonderful to catch sight of two of them deep in the forest.

We stopped for lunch at the hotel and I enjoyed a huge plate of blueberry pancakes with yogurt! Then we were off to complete our circuit, this time taking a high route on the steep slopes, just inside the tree line, which had thinned dramatically from the morning’s route. No animals here but super views and a káně soaring high above us over the ridge.

We emerged from the forest after 18k and climbed in to the car to discover that the barrier to the forest had been locked and we had no mobile signal, so it was back up the mountain road till a signal was found and Marketa rang one of Mum’s colleagues who kindly said he would come out to open it for us. As it turned out another car came down the forest road and this driver had a key so Marketa was able to thank Mum’s colleague and he turned back home before he reached us.

We then stopped to pick up a mother and son from the roadside who had been out walking on Grand Práděd and taken the wrong path off the mountain top. They were very tired and a long way from the train station so Tomas dropped them off there. A day of different adventures!

View in large as the resolution is much better!