We are once again discussing the Czech Tourist Club chalets with Ladislav Macka, an enthusiastic hiker and the club’s vice-chairman. What are the reasons to visit the highest peak of the Beskydy Mountains and what does Bezruč Chalet provide? Find inspiration here for your next trip or corporate event.
Bezruč Chalet on Lysá Mountain in the Beskydy is one of your newest lodges. What amenities does it provide for tourists?
Bezruč Chalet, as we know it today, is not the only one of the newest lodges of the Czech Tourist Club (CTC), but it is also the last one built by the CTC and the most modern. However, the name Bezruč Chalet itself is not so recent. The highest peak of the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mountains has been drawing tourists since the early days of tourism. The first wooden chalet was erected here in 1880. A large mountain chalet was built here in 1933, and since then, it has been associated with the poet Petr Bezruč, who visited it regularly on his trips, which he called „crawls-up“ („výplazy“ in Czech). Unfortunately, this hut was destroyed by fire in 1978. After many years, the decision was made to rebuild it. The new chalet offers five comfortably furnished double rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The restaurant serves a variety of à la carte meals, focusing on high-quality dishes made with ingredients sourced from local farmers and suppliers. On clear days, you can relax on the terrace, enjoying a stunning view of the Little and Great Fatra Mountains, and if visibility is good, you can even see the peaks of the Tatra Mountains.
The chalet was rebuilt with the assistance of volunteers and financial contributions from the public. Do you still manage to gain support today?
The chalet was constructed by the Czech Tourist Club with significant and frequent support from volunteers. The funding for the cottage came from public donations gathered through fundraising campaigns, strong involvement from nearby municipalities, and substantial assistance from the Moravian-Silesian Region. Like all the CTC chalets, this one is designed for ordinary tourists, offering affordable accommodation and refreshments. While this is beneficial for visitors, it also means that the chalet’s financial income does not cover all its needs, requiring the CTC to seek additional funding sources. As a result, we continue to organise public fundraisers. For instance, we are currently running a campaign called “Water for Bezruč Chalet” to secure funds for restoring the lodge’s own water source.
Are the chalet’s facilities suitable for popular corporate teambuilding activities?
The chalet is equipped with modern amenities for such purposes. It features a lecture room that can accommodate 40 people, along with advanced projection and sound equipment. This space is frequently used for lectures and discussions with climbers, travellers, and other intriguing individuals, which are very popular in the region. Remarkably, a significant number of participants willingly undertake the eight-kilometre journey to attend these events and then return. While corporate events do occasionally take place here, they are mostly limited to meetings. I am not sure if the lodge is entirely suitable for team-building activities, as there is limited accommodation. However, the nearby Maraton Cottage could potentially be used to provide the necessary lodging. Using Bezruč Chalet for team-building could be an interesting idea since it offers a unique opportunity to observe team dynamics from the outset. The chalet is not accessible by car, so the hike to the meeting venue could be integrated into the bonding programme.
Thank you for the interview.
