Malá Deštná (1,090 m a.s.l.) is the third highest peak in the Orlické Mountains — quiet, forested, and refreshingly off the beaten path. While its famous neighbour Velká Deštná gets most of the attention, Malá Deštná rewards those who seek solitude and untouched mountain nature.

The summit itself hides within a young spruce forest and carries no marker or signpost — finding it feels like a small personal adventure. The real gem of the area is the saddle between Malá and Velká Deštná, home to the Jelení lázeň nature reserve, established in 1982 to protect a rare ridge bog with its unique and threatened flora and fauna. In spring and summer the boggy vegetation is lush and alive with detail; autumn turns the entire ridge into a palette of gold and russet; and winter brings a hushed, snow-muffled atmosphere that makes the spruce forests feel truly wild.

• Saddle below Šerlich (car park + bus stop) — Jiráskova cesta trail (red markers), approx. 2 km toward Velká Deštná, then about 150 m before the top turn into the forest — easy, approx. 30–40 min

• The summit has no sign or marker — a GPS device or detailed map is strongly recommended.
• The red-marked Jiráskova cesta, the main ridge trail of the Orlické Mountains, passes through the saddle between Malá and Velká Deštná.
• The Jelení lázeň nature reserve sits directly along the route — the bog is a sensitive ecosystem, so please stick to marked paths.

The Jiráskova cesta trail takes its name from the beloved Czech writer Alois Jirásek, who had a deep affection for this mountain region — walking this ridge means following in the footsteps of one of Czech literature's great figures.