Oder
Řeka Odra
Water
The Odra River is a major European waterway, approximately 854 km long, originating in Moravia, Czech Republic, and flowing into the Baltic Sea in Poland. It offers diverse natural beauty and opportunities for water sports, particularly kayaking and canoeing.

📜 European waterway, 854 km long, originating in Moravia, Czech Republic.
🌊 Flows through diverse landscapes, offering opportunities for water sports.

Why Go

🚣‍♀️ Experience diverse water sports like kayaking and canoeing
🏞️ Explore beautiful natural landscapes and river meanders
🚶‍♀️ Visit the historic Panna Marie Rock pilgrimage site
🦅 Observe abundant waterfowl and rich river ecosystems

Why Avoid

⚠️ Upper sections are only navigable during floods or spring thaws
🚫 Part of the uppermost stretch passes through a military training area
🏭 River becomes significantly polluted near Ostrava, making it less appealing for navigation

🚣‍♀️ Navigability for Water Sports

The Odra River offers varied conditions for water sports enthusiasts:

  • Upper Section (from Budišovka confluence to Heřmánky):

    • Primarily navigable during floods and spring thaws.
    • Riverbed is 6-8 meters wide and stony, flowing through beautiful landscapes with high clay banks.
    • Recommended for covered boats (WW II difficulty).
    • Sailable when Budišov gauge is 110-180 cm.

  • Middle Section (Heřmánky to Suchdol nad Odrou):

    • Lowland character (WWI difficulty).
    • Sailable in spring or after rains when Budišov gauge is 110-180 cm.

  • Lower Section (Suchdol to the border):

    • Lowland character (ZWC AI difficulty).
    • Generally sufficient water for navigation almost year-round.
    • Sailable when Bohumín gauge is at least 75 cm.

  • From Čermenský mlýn: Suitable for 'pálavy' (rafts/canoes) with a minimum water level of 150 cm on the water gauge in Odry.

  • From Heřmánky: Flows through a deep, grassy valley with forests, often featuring weirs, rapids, and fallen trees.

  • Below Odry: The valley widens, and the river meanders strongly through a flatter landscape.

⛪ Key Tourist Attraction

Panna Marie Rock (Virgin Mary Rock):

  • A popular pilgrimage site located in a stunning, deep valley surrounded by forested slopes in Spálov.
  • Features a stone altar with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary within a rock cave, from which a spring of drinking water emerges.
  • Historically, the river here formed the border between Moravia and Silesia.

📍 Location Information

Odra - Border Meanders:

  • Located at Tichá 735 81 Bohumín.
  • GPS: 49.922603, 18.329358
Tags
RiverNatureOutdoorWater SportsKayakingCanoeingPilgrimage SiteHikingCzech RepublicMoraviaSilesia