Hradiště u Černovic is a small hill in the Ore Mountains with a big story to tell - an ancient hillfort, Neolithic settlement traces, and rocks that preserve plant fossils millions of years old. It's a perfect stop for hikers who enjoy combining nature with a touch of deep history.

The flat summit plateau is covered in oak forest and hides roughly 150 shallow quarrying pits dug over centuries, along with a weathered quarry wall on the southern edge, surrounded by scattered boulders. In spring and summer the forest is full of birdsong, autumn brings warm colors to the oaks, and in winter frost on the exposed rock faces gives the place a quiet, almost forgotten atmosphere.

How to get there

• From Chomutov train station - yellow trail, about 6 km, elevation gain around 250 m, moderate difficulty
• From Černovice train station - a shorter route heading north to the railway crossing, joining the yellow trail from Chomutov

Practical information

• Protected as a natural monument - collecting plant fossil imprints is prohibited
• The trail crosses the Chomutov-Vejprty railway line; former Czechoslovak border bunkers (řopíky) stand near two level crossings

Local quartzite from this hill was used to build the Church of St. Kateřina in Chomutov, the deanery church in Most, and a bridge over the Ohře river in Postoloprty - a nice thought to keep in mind while walking among the old quarry pits.