Vlhošť is a striking, cone-shaped hill rising above the Ralská Hills near Česká Lípa, crowned with an impressive collection of rock towers and formations. The whole area is protected as a nature reserve, giving it a wild, untamed character rarely found so close to civilization.

The ascent leads through flowering beech forests and dry pine woods, where lichens and heather cling to sandy soil, creating a raw, atmospheric landscape. The rocky outcrops on both Vlhošť and the nearby Malý Vlhošť give the ridge a rugged, almost otherworldly feel. The area is peaceful and quiet, best enjoyed outside the summer rush when the trails are calm and the forest silence is complete.

How to get there

• A yellow-marked trail runs along the slope of Vlhošť, moderate difficulty, suitable for reasonably fit hikers
• A red-marked trail leads from Holany through the saddle between the two peaks

Practical information

• Both summits are closed to visitors during the bird nesting season
• The reserve protects rare snails, spiders, and birds, including the peregrine falcon

In spring 2014, a peregrine falcon nest with chicks was discovered here and the young birds were ringed - proof that this rocky summit remains an important refuge for wildlife.