Mornings in Horní Lomná have a particular calm about them. The valley is only just waking up, a light haze lingers above the forests and you feel like leaving your phone in your pocket and setting off on foot. A trip to Velký Polom is exactly the kind of mountain day that combines pleasant effort, the scent of spruce forest and the feeling that for a while you really are far from everyday haste.
Velký Polom lies in the Moravian-Silesian part of the Beskydy Mountains by the Czech-Slovak border and, at 1,067 metres, is one of the prominent peaks of the area. It is not a trip you can squeeze in between breakfast and lunch. The reward for the longer climb, however, is not only the summit itself but above all the journey: quiet forest sections, mountain meadows, changing views and shared time you will not forget.
A trip to Velký Polom is not a race
It pays to set out for Velký Polom with some forethought. The routes from around Horní Lomná lead through mountain terrain and, depending on the variant you choose, can take up a substantial part of the day. For active couples or fitter walkers it makes a beautiful full-day plan. Families with older children will enjoy the trip too, provided they match the pace to the children, allow themselves stops and do not try to fit everything in at once.
The biggest difference is made by the starting point you choose. From Horní Lomná expect a longer climb with a greater height gain, but with a natural connection to the landscape in which you are staying. If you want a shorter option, you can drive closer to one of the higher places in the area and continue along the marked routes along the ridge. The ridge path tends to be less tiring than the climb from the valley, but you still need to allow for uneven ground and changes in the weather.
Before you set off, always check the current waymarking and the state of the paths on a map. In the Beskydy Mountains strong wind, rain or windthrow can turn an easy route into a demanding day. After rain in particular, roots, stones and forest skid trails can be slippery. Sturdy boots with a good sole are therefore not a needless luxury but the basis of a comfortable return.
How demanding is the climb?
Velký Polom is suitable for reasonably active visitors who can manage several hours of walking in hilly terrain. You do not need to be an experienced mountain walker, but it is worth not underestimating your fitness. The length of the trip depends on the route, the stops and whether you return the same way or plan a circuit.
This hike is not suitable for small children in a pushchair. Older children will manage it well if they have experience of longer walks and you treat the trip as exploring the forest rather than as a performance. Look for pine cones along the way, watch for animal tracks, take a snack break in a meadow and let the children set part of the pace. That is how a shared experience is created, rather than just a number of metres climbed.
If you are setting out with a dog, think about water, a lead and consideration for other walkers and forest wildlife. On warmer days your dog will appreciate regular breaks in the shade. On the ridges, by contrast, it can be noticeably colder than down in the valley even in summer.
What to expect on the way and at the summit
The route to Velký Polom has a pleasantly Beskydy character. Stretches of denser forest alternate with places where the landscape opens up for a moment and offers a view across the rolling ridges. Do not expect big-city attractions, extensive facilities or the bustle of well-known tourist centres. That is precisely where the strength of this place lies.
The summit itself is more of a natural stopping point than a grand viewing platform. The views open up mainly at suitable spots along the ridge, in the meadows and in the gaps between the trees. When visibility is good it is worth stopping, looking around and giving your eyes time. The Beskydy Mountains do not stand out for one dramatic view alone – their magic lies in the succession of hills, forests and distant valleys that change with every step.
The trip is also a lovely opportunity to notice how the mountain light changes during the day. The morning climb tends to be cooler and quieter. In the afternoon the forest warms up, but summer showers appear more often. Setting out early therefore has both a practical and an enjoyable side: you will have plenty of time for rest, photography and a safe return before dark.
What to take with you
A light rucksack is ideal for a day like this, with room for water, a snack and a spare layer of clothing. Even if it is warm in the valley, it can be windy on the ridge. Pack a light waterproof jacket, a hat or headband and, depending on the season, gloves as well. Trekking poles are a good choice, particularly on the descent, when they relieve the knees on wet or stony ground.
Do not forget a fully charged phone with an offline map, a basic first-aid kit and identification. The routes come close to the state border in places and, although we now move within the open Schengen area, it is good to have your ID with you. In winter or in icy conditions the difficulty increases considerably. If you have no experience of winter walking, choose a shorter route in the valley instead or adapt the trip to the current conditions.
When to set out for Velký Polom
Every season has a different atmosphere around Velký Polom. Spring brings a fresh forest, water in the streams and the first green meadows. It can, however, mean mud and changeable weather. Summer favours long days and family trips, while it is also wise to watch the forecast for storms and not to set out late.
Autumn tends to be the most beautiful season for many visitors. The forests change colour, the air is sharper and, when visibility is good, the distant ridges show themselves in all their beauty. You do need to allow for earlier dusk and wet leaves on the paths. Winter offers silence and a fairytale landscape, but it calls for experience, the right equipment and respect for the conditions. A mountain path that is pleasant in summer can become demanding both physically and for navigation once there is snow.
For a relaxed stay it is worth having a plan B ready as well. If the ridge disappears into fog or it starts to rain, the day need not be lost. A shorter walk through the valley, a rest with a good coffee, a late lunch or the wellness area can give a mountain day an equally pleasant rhythm.
After the hike, give your body a real rest
The descent from the mountains can paradoxically be harder than the climb. Your legs have a long day behind them, your shoulders have carried a rucksack and your head stays among the trees for a while longer. That is exactly why it makes sense not to plan further commitments after you return. Treat yourself to a quiet shower, a hot meal and a moment with nothing scheduled.
In Horní Lomná you can combine an active day with rest that never feels rushed. At Bawaria Wellness Retreat a mountain base awaits you after your trip, a panoramic restaurant a a wellness area with a whirlpool, a Finnish sauna and an infrared sauna. After a longer hike it is especially welcome to warm the muscles through, refuel and simply sit with a view of the Beskydy countryside.
For couples, Velký Polom can be a lovely shared destination followed by a slow evening for two. Families will appreciate that the children have had a real adventure and the adults do not have to deal with complicated logistics on their return. When a day is divided between movement, good food and rest, the Beskydy Mountains no longer feel like a place to pass through quickly, but a place where it is pleasant to stay.
When you plan your route, leave room in it for an unplanned stop as well. Sometimes the loveliest part of a trip to Velký Polom is the moment when you sit down at the edge of the forest, open your snack and realise that you do not have to hurry anywhere.
