Mountains in Czechia

The highest mountain in the Czech Republic is Sněžka, which rises to an altitude of 1,603 metres above sea level. It is located in the Krkonoše mountains, and the state border with Poland runs across its summit. Visitors may comfortably reach the top via a modern cable car, which departs from Pec pod Sněžkou or from the intermediate station at Růžová hora.

Apart from the cable car station, there are other structures on the summit of Sněžka. Examples include the Polská bouda mountain hut, which houses a meteorological station, or the Kaple sv. Vavřince (Chapel of St. Lawrence), which is the oldest building in this area. It was consecrated as early as 1681. In those days, religious services were held on Sněžka up to five times a year and were attended by a multitude of pilgrims from the surrounding area. Over the following years, the chapel burned down several times. It was subsequently re-consecrated, the altar and murals were restored, and it now once again serves as a place for masses dedicated to mountain guides and rescuers, whose patron is indeed Saint Lawrence.

Another, and arguably the most well-known, building for the public is the Česká poštovna (Czech Post Office). This fully functional post office ensures the dispatch of postcards and provides other postal services. It also includes a refreshment stall and an observation deck, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the vast surroundings. At the same time, it is the highest situated building in the country.

In addition to the aforementioned cable car, it is possible to reach Sněžka via several different hiking trails. Scaling the highest mountain is a very popular challenge, and it is therefore one of the most visited attractions in the Krkonoše mountains. The most frequently used route leads from Pec pod Sněžkou. Here, one still has the choice of whether to attempt the ascent on foot or to make use of the aforementioned cable car. The walking route partially follows the cable car line, leads over Růžová hora, and measures approximately 6.5 kilometres. The reward for the effort will be magnificent views and fresh mountain air.

The least demanding ascent can be started in Malá Úpa. The roughly 4-kilometre-long Cesta česko-polského přátelství (Czech-Polish Friendship Trail) will lead visitors along the red tourist marker over Obří hřeben to the summit. Conversely, the most challenging but visually most rewarding route starts again in Pec pod Sněžkou and leads through Obří důl and Obří sedlo. Its length is 7 kilometres, and during the summer season, visitors can also visit the Kovárna mine along the way, which commemorates the history of mining in the Krkonoše mountains.

A starting point can also be Špindlerův Mlýn. This blue trail leads through the Údolí Bílého Labe (White Elbe Valley). All routes can be combined with one another to make the most of the ascent to Sněžka. However, the Krkonoše are not just about Sněžka. These mountains are attractive to visitors throughout the entire year.

They truly offer something for everyone. Therefore, a holiday in the Krkonoše mountains appears to be a perfect plan that cannot disappoint. Visitors are invited to book comfortable accommodation in the vicinity of Sněžka or another Krkonoše attraction that appeals to them, and to enjoy their well-deserved days of rest with family or friends. The Krkonoše rightfully belong among the most visited places in the country, and one can be sure that they will fall in love with them as well. All that remains is to set off.

The highest peak of the Moravskoslezské Beskydy is steeped in many legends. One of the most famous tells of gatherings of witches from all over Slezsko, who were said to have revelled there with devils and even Lucifer himself! Nowadays, however, one would be hard-pressed to find witches or devils on Lysá hora. Instead, it is swarming with tourists, cyclists, runners, and skiers, for whom Lysá hora and its surroundings are a great attraction.

What to do on Lysá hora in winter?

According to another legend, the treasure of the bandit Ondráš and his band is hidden inside Lysá hora. It is said to be guarded by "divá Hana," a witch whose spirit appears in the form of a huge snake with a golden crown... Whether or how much of the legends about witches and treasures are true, no one knows. However, it remains a fact that Lysá hora is a true jewel of the Moravskoslezské Beskydy and the entire Valašsko region.

An altitude of 1,323 metres combined with a characteristic climate makes Lysá hora one of the coldest places in the Česká republika – why visit, then? Precisely for that reason! Lysá hora certainly cannot complain about a lack of snow. Permanent snow cover can be found here from October to May. Snowfall peaks during March, and it is not unusual for its depth to exceed 2 metres. It would be a sin not to take advantage of such conditions!

Experienced cross-country skiers are likely familiar with the Lysohorská magistrála, from which Lysá hora can be conquered from three different directions. And what could be better after a ride through the snow-covered landscape than traditional Valašsko refreshments? At the summit of Lysá hora, there are two mountain huts available (the Bezručova hut and the Chata Emil Zátopek – Maraton, which also offers accommodation), each one nicer than the other. The conditions on the mountain also favour ski mountaineering enthusiasts and would favour downhill skiers as well, but the possibilities for downhill skiing are a subject of dispute between conservationists and proponents of this sport on Lysá hora.

Hiking, cycling, and paragliding

Lysá hora is not only one of the coldest but also one of the windiest areas in the country. Is that also a reason to visit? Of course! Especially if you are a paragliding enthusiast. The Beskydy as a whole are among the top paragliding areas in our country, and their highest peak, being an ideal flight terrain with all the infrastructure around it, is a kind of symbol of this status.

Otherwise, Lysá hora is a destination especially for hikers and cyclists, for whom it is a cult place. Several marked trails and paths lead to the summit of the mountain. Perhaps the most popular one leads from Ostravice, is just under 9 kilometres long, and has been part of an event called Bezručův výplaz for 60 years. As the name suggests, it is the favourite route of the Czech poet Petr Bezruč, along which he undertook his "climbs" to the summit of Lysá hora.

For more demanding hikers with very good physical fitness, we recommend the ascent from Krásná; for the less fit, there is a relaxing route from Visalaje. Although it is almost 9 kilometres long, it is the easiest walking ascent to Lysá hora of all.

As for cyclists, they will certainly welcome the opportunity to test their abilities and endurance while climbing Lysá hora from Papežov. It is the only completely paved route on which there is even a ban on car traffic (except for those with an ascent permit), so it is a true paradise for road cycling enthusiasts. However, if you are looking for something more leisurely, we recommend taking the path from Malenovice. It should be noted, however, that the terrain is only rideable on mountain bikes, not road bikes.

How to get to Lysá hora?

Accessing Lysá hora by car is permitted only to the owners of local properties or their contractual business partners. In special cases, some buses may also receive an ascent permit. Otherwise, visitors may use a special shuttle bus service, which runs at regular intervals from various directions up to the summit of the mountain.

Another option is offered by the aforementioned bicycle. However, the "Moravian cogwheel" is also popular – you just have to grit your teeth and pedal and pedal... all the way to the top. Most people use the route from Ostravice to climb Lysá hora. There is also the final train station in this village, with trains running from the direction of Frýdlant nad Ostravicí.

Accommodation on Lysá hora and in its surroundings

In addition to the aforementioned huts at the summit of Lysá hora, it is also possible to make use of hundreds of beds available in the foothills of this Beskydy landmark. If you wish to be as close to Lysá hora as possible, focus on finding suitable accommodation in Staré Hamry, Ostravice, Čeladná, or Frýdlant nad Ostravicí. Besides hotels, guesthouses, private lodgings, and apartments, you will certainly also come across traditional log cabins, cottages, and houses with a beautiful garden and architecture so typical of Valašsko.

In the wider area around Lysá hora, one can stay, for example, in Trojanovice or Frenštát pod Radhoštěm. From these centres, you can then set out, for example, to Rožňov pod Radhoštěm. The entire Moravskoslezský kraj will amaze you with its picturesqueness and friendliness. And Lysá hora? A trip there will be an experience for outdoor sports enthusiasts as well as for nature lovers and admirers of beautiful views from the heights.

The mountain of Klínovec can be found in northwestern Bohemia and is also known by its German name Keilberg or Sonnenwirbel. With its 1,244 metres, it is not only the highest peak of the Krušné hory, but also the highest point of the Karlovy Vary District, the Chomutov District, and the Karlovy Vary and Ústí nad Labem Regions. This peak is popular during the summer period especially thanks to hiking. Over the winter, tourists head here particularly to the Skiareál Klínovec, which, thanks to its connection with the nearby Skiareál Boží dar - Neklid, is a dynamic and modern ski centre.

The location of the mountain of Klínovec can be outlined from the north by the town of Loučná pod Klínovcem, which lies almost on the German border. Near it, northwest of Klínovec, is also Boží Dar, which is simultaneously a border crossing. And to the southwest, you will then encounter Jáchymov, which is known especially thanks to its spa. Visitors can set off here with their health ailments as well as for a purely relaxing stay.

It was precisely the town of Jáchymov that had an observation tower built on the summit of Mount Klínovec in 1817. It was a popular tourist destination for spa guests from Karlovy Vary, who arrived here in horse-drawn carriages. However, the viewpoint burned down in 1868. Therefore, in 1883, a decision was made to construct a stone lookout tower that would be more resilient not only to fire, but also to the whims of the weather. And thus the Klínovec lookout tower was created, which was later supplemented by an annex with accommodation, refreshments, and a stable for eight horses. Over time, a post office and a telecommunication tower were also established.

Visitors can reach the summit of Klínovec comfortably by cable car. From Jáchymov, the Jáchymov - Klínovec cable car is in operation. This also allows for the transport of cyclists. Visitors from Loučná pod Klínovcem are transported by the Dámská chairlift. From the summit, breathtaking views are offered not only of the Krušnohoří region, but also of the České středohoří, the Doupov Mountains, the Slavkov Forest, or the Šumava.

But the true tourist will, of course, set off on foot. Visitors can start their journey, for example, in Boží Dar, from where an undemanding red route approximately 8 kilometres long leads, which is, however, not suitable for prams. Before the very destination, it has a steeper character. If visitors walk straight along the road, they will shorten the route by roughly half. Adrenaline enthusiasts, on the other hand, will appreciate trail routes of 4 different difficulty levels, which lead from the summit all the way to the cable car, by means of which visitors are comfortably transported back to the summit.

If visitors have been sufficiently tempted and have decided to spend their holiday here, assistance is gladly offered with the selection of suitable accommodation near Klínovec. Would visitors fancy a cosy cottage, an apartment, or private accommodation? Or can visitors not imagine their holiday without the supplementary services provided by guesthouses and hotels? Visitors are invited to browse the website and search for the best option to make their stay truly unique. A pleasant stay is wished to all visitors!

Guardian of the Český les with the Kurzova věž

Čerchov, at an altitude of 1,042 metres above sea level, is the highest peak of the Český les mountain range and a significant symbol of the landscape around Domažlice. Its summit is well known for the stone Kurzova věž, which serves as a lookout tower and was built between 1904 and 1905 by the Klub českých turistů. Between 1950 and 1990, the summit was inaccessible to the public as it was occupied by the military, which established a military base here and built an unsightly concrete radar tower. Following the revolution, the Kurzova věž was returned to the KČT in 1999 and reopened to the public in 2000 after reconstruction. From the viewing platform of the tower, which is 19.2 metres high, a panoramic view is offered of the Šumava, Brdy, Plzeň, and, under exceptionally good visibility, even as far as the Alps and the Krušné hory.

How to get there

Several marked hiking trails lead to the summit of Čerchov. The most frequently used ascent starts from the village of Capartice (near Klenčí pod Čerchovem), from where an approximately 4.5 km long red hiking trail leads with an elevation gain of over 330 metres. This path is partially paved and also suitable for cyclists. Other starting points include Pec pod Čerchovem (following the blue trail, approx. 4.5 km with a greater elevation gain) or Česká Kubice, from where the historical Hanova stezka leads (red and subsequently blue trail), approximately 7.5 km long. A car park is available for motorists in Capartice. During the tourist season, bus transport to the summit is also usually available.

What you can discover in the surrounding area

The surroundings of Čerchov are crisscrossed by hiking trails that lead to the points of interest of the Chodsko region and the Český les. Directly below the summit is the Emerichova studna, once a modified spring. Near Čerchov, visitors can visit the picturesque market town of Klenčí pod Čerchovem, the centre of the Chodsko region. In a southerly direction lies Česká Kubice and the border crossing into Germany, from where one can continue into the Bavarian borderland. In the wider surroundings is the historical town of Domažlice, which is known for its Chodsko culture, a typical square with a dominant tower, and the Chodský hrad. For hikers, the route to Sádkova skála or towards the Haltrava summit is of interest.