Vápenný vrch is a modest but fascinating hill in the far north of Czechia, just a stone's throw from the town of Raspenava. At only 423.5 metres above sea level, it might not sound like much, but this little peak hides a surprising geological story, including a cave that stayed hidden until 1990.

The hill is built from gneiss and chlorite-muscovite schist, and during the older Quaternary period it was covered twice by continental ice sheets, which shaped the landscape you see today. It's also a well-known spot among mineralogy enthusiasts. Spruce and beech forests cover the slopes, making it a pleasant walk whatever the season - cool shade in summer, rich colours in autumn, and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere in winter.

How to reach the summit

• From Raspenava (about 1 km away) - an easy walk, suitable for families and casual hikers

Practical information

• Several old limestone and dolomite quarries dot the hill, most now abandoned
• The Wildner quarry hides a small cave called Hliněná jeskyně (Clay Cave), discovered only in 1990

The late discovery of this hidden cave is a nice reminder that even a small, seemingly ordinary hill can still hold a surprise or two.