At the end of the valley of the Tlučeňský potok stream, at the foot of 545-metre-high Hradiště, lies Hlinná. For planning a trip, two hiking options are particularly easy to distinguish: a yellow-marked trail from Hlinná up to the summit of Hradiště, and the approximately ten-kilometre Hlinná–Kamýk nature trail. While one trail leads to a specific summit, the nature trail can also be walked in sections. The options therefore differ both in their destination and in how much of the route you want to cover.
Basalt Hills and Remarkable Landscapes
The Hradiště Natural Monument is located on the mountain of the same name in the Litoměřice District. The České středohoří Protected Landscape Area is responsible for managing the area. The Holý vrch u Hlinné Site of Community Importance also shapes the landscape: it comprises the basalt hills of Hradiště (545 metres above sea level) and Holý vrch (574 metres above sea level). Both are remnants of a lava layer.
On the western slope of Holý vrch are striking rock formations shaped by frost weathering, popularly known as “Učitel a žáci” (“The Teacher and the Pupils”). Holý vrch u Hlinné also features rocks, rocky steppes, scree slopes and dry grasslands. The area is also home to the critically endangered species koniklec otevřený. At Hradiště, partially wooded areas alternate with steppe meadows; rocky outcrops and scree slopes are also part of the landscape. Alongside the sweeping view from the summit, the mountain therefore offers a variety of striking landforms.
Hiking Trails with Different Options
The summit of Hradiště can be reached from Hlinná via a yellow-marked hiking trail. At the top, a sweeping view opens up over the surrounding landscape. The Hlinná–Kamýk nature trail also starts in Hlinná, heads towards Holý vrch, Velké hradiště and Plešivec, and then returns. It is about ten kilometres long. You can choose the order of the stops yourself or walk only part of the route—a flexible option that means you do not have to plan the entire route as one fixed outing.
A shorter walk is the easy climb to Varhošť. From the saddle below the mountain, follow the yellow markings uphill; the round trip is about 1.5 kilometres. Varhošť belongs to Kundratice, a district of the municipality of Hlinná. A lookout tower at its summit offers views of the České středohoří and the course of the Elbe. The river can be seen from eight points there. Compared with the roughly ten-kilometre nature trail, the climb is shorter and starts elsewhere: it begins at the saddle, not in Hlinná.
History and an Event Day
Hlinná was first mentioned in 1337. Archaeological finds on the hills of Hradiště and Kamýk, about one kilometre southeast of Hlinná, attest to settlement of the municipality’s territory by Celtic tribes from around the 3rd to the 1st century BC. The finds thus point to a settlement history considerably older than the first mention of the village.
At Slavnosti pastvin, visitors can try traditional crafts for themselves and see domestic and wild animals. The event also includes a market selling regional products. This makes it different from the hikes: the focus here is on hands-on activities, encounters with animals and regional produce. The programme may change from one edition to the next, so check the dates and programme for the relevant edition before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Lhotka Nad Labem, Čížkovice, Dlažkovice, Bechlín, Mnetěš, Brzánky, Židovice Nad Labem, Slatina Pod Hazmburkem.
For the broader travel overview: Litoměřice District.
