Hiking Radhošť: the route from Pustevny, Radegast and the chapel

The most comfortable way up Radhošť on foot is from Pustevny, along a ridge trail about 4 kilometres long. One way takes an hour to an hour and a half, and elevation gain is only around a hundred metres. The summit (1,129 m above sea level) holds the chapel of St Cyril and Methodius, and on the way you pass the statue of the pagan god Radegast. From our guesthouse, the car park below Pustevny is about half an hour away by car.

How long is the route to Radhošť, and how much elevation does it gain?

Radhošť is one of the best-known peaks in the Beskydy Mountains, yet the climb from Pustevny is surprisingly easy going. The ridge trail measures about 4 kilometres one way and runs mostly level, with only gentle ups and downs. The start at Pustevny sits at around 1,020 metres, and the Radhošť summit reaches 1,129 metres, so the net elevation gain is only around a hundred metres. That means you do not need mountain-level fitness to manage it.

Parameter	Value
Length (one way)	about 4 km
Time (one way)	1 to 1.5 hours
Elevation gain	around 100 m
Radhošť summit	1,129 m above sea level
Difficulty	easy, fine with children
By car from the guesthouse	roughly 30 min

Plan on covering about 8 kilometres there and back. With breaks for photos and a snack at the top, it is worth setting aside half a day so you are not rushing.

Where do you start the hike to Radhošť?

The starting point is the mountain resort of Pustevny. Cars do not drive up there, so you leave yours in the car park below and head up on foot or by cable car. From Pustevny you then follow the marked ridge trail straight to the summit; getting lost here is practically impossible.

• By car to the car park below Pustevny, then on foot or by cable car up, followed by the ridge trail.
• By cable car from Trojanovice straight up to Pustevny, if you would rather skip the climb on foot.
• The car park fills up on weekends and in high season, so it is best to set off in the morning.

From Penzion Anděl in Rožnov, the car park below Pustevny is roughly 30 minutes away by car. You can read more about Pustevny itself and the whole ridge in our article Pustevny and Radhošť.

What are the variations on the climb?

The route comes in a few forms, depending on how much extra distance you want to add and how much you want to spare your legs:

• There and back from Pustevny: the simplest option, returning along the same ridge trail, about 8 km in total.
• With the cable car from Trojanovice: ride up to Pustevny and skip the initial climb, a good fit with children or after a long day in the mountains.
• In winter: enjoy the walk on foot in the snow or on cross-country skis, just plan for a shorter day and warmer clothing.

Most people take the same ridge trail back down. Thanks to the changing light, the return leg often looks completely different from the morning walk up.

What do you see along the way and at the summit?

The ridge trail is not just a way to get from A to B; it is packed with stops that draw people here in the first place:

• The Radegast statue by sculptor Albín Polášek, depicting the legendary pagan god the mountain is named after. It is one of the most photographed spots in the Beskydy Mountains.
• The chapel of St Cyril and Methodius at the summit (1,129 m above sea level), a reminder of the site’s pilgrimage and Christian tradition.
• A statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius near the chapel.
• Sweeping views of the surrounding ridges, reaching as far as Lysá hora, the highest peak in the Beskydy Mountains, on a clear day.

That meeting of pagan and Christian tradition on a single ridge is what gives Radhošť its genuine atmosphere.

“You do not need to be a mountaineer to reach Radhošť. Good shoes, an unhurried morning and an appetite for a snack with a view up top are enough.”

Who is this route suitable for?

Thanks to its easy going, the ridge trail to Radhošť is ideal for families with children and less experienced hikers alike. With the smallest ones, take the cable car up to Pustevny and enjoy an easy walk along the ridge from there; a sturdy stroller can manage it too. Bring something to drink, a snack and an extra layer, since it is windy on the ridge even in summer and noticeably cooler up top than down in town.

Where to stay and eat after the hike?

Radhošť, Pustevny and the surrounding peaks are all within easy reach of our guesthouse, so you can easily pair the hike with a relaxed stay in Rožnov. After the hike, settle into one of our quiet rooms, ease your tired legs in the private sauna, and treat yourself to specialty coffee and homemade cake in our café, open daily from 11am to 8pm. In the morning a generous breakfast awaits, served to overnight guests only, and you park for free right at the guesthouse, just a few minutes on foot from the open-air museum.

We are a family-run guesthouse rated 4.8/5 from 461 reviews on Google and 9.2/10 on Booking. Planning a hike up Radhošť? Sort out your dates and the right room in a few minutes via booking, or call us at +420 602 541 112, and we will gladly help with the route and cable car times. Looking for more ideas nearby? Check out our roundup of day trips from Rožnov.