Jenčice lies in the Bohemian Central Highlands on the Lovosice–Most route. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between the names of the landscape and its sights: Košťál is a 488-metre-high basalt hill, while Košťálov is the distinctive castle ruin that stands out on it. The Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is in Jenčice, while St. Anne’s Chapel is near Košťál and has the address Jenčice.

Košťál and Košťálov Castle Ruin

Košťálov Castle Ruin offers sweeping views from its rocky outcrop. It is freely accessible today and lies on a green-marked hiking trail. The castle’s history probably dates back to the 14th century. It was first mentioned in written records in 1372; by the beginning of the 17th century, it had already been abandoned. These details refer to different stages: the presumed period when it was built, its first mention in written records and its later state. Visitors interested in castle ruins will therefore find both a striking place and a timeline of its history here.

Distinguishing the Hiking Route from the Cycle Route

A green-marked hiking route leads from Třebenice to Košťálov and is approximately 3.3 kilometres long. This approximate distance gives an idea of the route’s length, while the starting point and destination are clearly identified. Cycle Route No. 25 Jezerní is different: it runs around Mount Košťál. The routes are therefore not simply two names for the same trail. The named hiking route leads on foot from Třebenice to Košťálov, whereas the cycle route follows a course around Košťál.

The names also help with orientation: Košťál refers to the basalt hill, while Košťálov refers to the castle ruin. Anyone planning a hike can follow the green-marked route that starts in Třebenice and ends at Košťálov. For cyclists, the relevant reference point is the course of the Jezerní cycle route around Mount Košťál. This way, a specific hiking route and a named cycle route are presented as separate options, without assuming they share a route.

Two Chapels with Different Location Details

The Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is in Jenčice. St. Anne’s Chapel is near Košťál and has the address Jenčice. Neither chapel holds regular services, and neither is accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. The difference between their location details is useful for orientation: the Chapel of the Virgin Mary is located in Jenčice, while St. Anne’s Chapel is near Košťál. The information about services and accessibility applies to both chapels.

Nature Highlights

The Košťál Nature Monument is home to heat-loving communities on the volcanic rocks of the Bohemian Central Highlands. A rare service tree also grows in the cadastral area of Jenčice. These nature highlights focus on different things: Košťál is known for communities on volcanic ground, while the cadastral area of Jenčice is home to a rare tree species. They complement the historical perspective on the castle ruin with natural-history features that can also be considered independently.

Discover more destinations: Lukavec U Lovosic, Kamýk, Chudoslavice, Lovosice, Terezín, Úpohlavy, Žalhostice, Bechlín

For the overview of the wider area: Okres Litoměřice.