Nosálov: Heritage Reserve and Hiking Trails

Nosálov combines a protected heritage reserve with the hilly landscape of the Polomené hory. Marked hiking and cycling loops, the village’s history, and archaeological traces offer a range of themes for planning your trip. The village lies about six kilometres north of Mšeno at an elevation of 382 metres and extends along the southeastern slope of Vrátenská hora.

Landscape and trails

Nosálov is one of the gateways to the Kokořínsko–Máchův kraj Protected Landscape Area. Several marked hiking and cycling loops run around the village. Nosálov is also a starting point for hiking trails of varying difficulty in the eastern part of the Polomené hory. This provides both circular routes and trails through a designated part of the mountains to help you find your way.

The trail connections differ: Vrátenská hora lies directly on a marked blue hiking trail and cycling route No. 143, while Selnerovo hradiště is about 150 metres from a marked green hiking trail. Markings may be updated, so check them before setting out.

Village heritage and traces of the past

Nosálov is protected as a heritage reserve and is characterised by a village that has been preserved as a unified whole, with an expansive layout around the village square. More recent buildings complement the preserved village structure. The heritage reserve includes the niche chapel of the Holy Trinity on the village square. An inscription dates the chapel to 1808. The village layout and chapel illustrate different aspects of the built heritage: the village’s design and a building with a specific date.

Selnerovo hradiště is a long, narrow promontory of about two hectares, with ramparts dating from the Early to High Middle Ages. The agricultural past is also linked to a specific figure: in 1842, Nosálov had about 95 small hop gardens.

Rock sites and views

Petrovina, also known as Vítkova jeskyně, is a pseudokarst cave about 15 metres long that was artificially enlarged in the Middle Ages. It can be reached via a steep path and is considered a popular destination for tourists and people who want to explore mysterious underground spaces. Cikánský kámen, by contrast, is a naturally hollowed-out rock grotto. It probably served as a place to stay overnight and rest for travellers on their way to Žitava; today it is considered a popular resting and stopping place for hikers. The two rock sites therefore differ both in how they were formed and in their recorded use.

Vrátenská rozhledna offers views across all of northeast Bohemia, the Ralská pahorkatina, and the Česká Lípa region. In good visibility, the panorama stretches past Bezděz Castle to the Jizera Mountains, Ještěd, and the western Krkonoše. The observation tower is open to the public at set times. Check the schedule before your visit; visibility also depends on the weather. Opening times and long-distance visibility are two separate factors to consider when planning.

Discover more destinations: Veltrusy, Spomyšl, Melnik, Dobřeň, Ovčáry U Dřís, Býkev, Liběchov, Kralupy Nad Vltavou

For the broader travel overview: Mělník District.