Zlatý vrch is one of the most striking geological sights in northern Bohemia — a former basalt quarry that reveals some of the longest stone organ pipes in the country. The olivine basalt columns here reach an astonishing 30 metres in length, making them up to two and a half times longer than those at the more famous Panská skála near Kamenický Šenov.

Rising to 656.6 m in the western part of the Lusatian Mountains, this hill has a raw, dramatic character. The exposed quarry wall is truly impressive, especially in low afternoon light that emphasizes the perfect columnar structure of the rock. The slopes are covered by a sparse, roughly 120-year-old beech forest mixed with sycamore maple and ash, sheltering over 70 plant species including dog's mercury and nine-leaf toothwort. Autumn and spring bring an especially atmospheric mood to the site.

How to get there

• From Líska (a part of Česká Kamenice) — a marked side trail off the red-marked trail (which coincides here with the European long-distance route E3), about 20-30 minutes, easy difficulty
• The Nature Trail Around Studenec (22.5 km) also passes the hill, with stop number 14 located here

Practical information

• Rock climbing is strictly forbidden at Zlatý vrch
• The site is a protected nature reserve — picking plants or damaging the rock formations is not allowed

Fun fact: the exceptionally durable basalt columns from this quarry were reportedly once used in the construction of sea dikes in the Netherlands.