Zbyny is a mysterious ruin of a medieval castle hidden deep in the forests of the former Ralsko military area. It's a destination for those seeking something beyond marked trails - a forgotten fragment of history where nature has reclaimed a rocky spur above the Wild Valley.

The ruins sit on a triangular rocky promontory, protected on one side by the Wild Valley (Divoké údolí) and on the other by a smaller ravine. A neck-ditch with a visible rampart separates it from the rest of the ridge. In the valley below the castle, you can find small chambers carved into the rock, possibly dating back to the castle's existence or to the second half of the 18th century, when Count Hartig founded a hermitage here. The surroundings retain a wild, almost forgotten character - dense forest, silence, and the raw charm of a former military zone, especially atmospheric in autumn and winter.

How to get there

• Starting point: the village of Hvězdov - approx. 3.5 km east, route through the former Ralsko military area, difficulty: moderate
• Alternative approach through the Židlov game reserve and Divoké údolí, from the direction of Svébořice

Practical information

• The area lies within the former Ralsko military zone - caution is advised, stick to accessible paths
• Nearby are rock-carved hermit chambers associated with the former Zbinsko hermitage

Almost nothing remains of the castle buildings apart from the ditch and rampart - it is precisely this rawness and mystery that makes the site a rewarding destination for history and wilderness lovers alike.