Želenický vrch is a rocky hill towering above the Bílina River valley, just a short distance from the town of Bílina. It's a hidden gem for anyone curious about volcanic geology and quiet, uncrowded views in the České Středohoří (Central Bohemian Uplands).

The hill's volcanic origin is unmistakable — its slopes are shaped by frost-shattered rock faces and boulder streams left behind by centuries of freeze-thaw weathering. The landscape feels raw and rugged, with views stretching over the Bílina valley toward the neighboring Zlatník hill. Autumn and winter, when the trees thin out, are especially rewarding for spotting the rocky formations up close.

How to reach the summit

• From Bílina or Želenice — following the route along road no. 13 (E442), easy to moderate walk, roughly an hour
• From the hamlet of Liběšice — a shorter approach from the east

Practical information

• The northern slope hosts an active quarry operated by Keramost — this section is closed to the public for safety reasons
• The phonolite rock mined here is used in the glass industry as a smelting additive

Fun fact: thanks to test drilling in the quarry, Želenický vrch is the most thoroughly geologically studied summit in the entire České Středohoří, with its rock estimated at some 33 million years old.