Hlinná: Basalt Hills, Hiking Trails and History

Hlinná lies at the end of the Tlučeňský potok valley, at the foot of the 545 m-high Hradiště. The valley, stream and mountain define the area’s geography; hiking trails and viewpoints offer different perspectives on the landscape. The municipality was first mentioned in 1337.

Natural Monument and Basalt Landscape

The Hradiště Natural Monument is located on the mountain of the same name in the Litoměřice District; the area is managed by the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area Administration. The Holý vrch u Hlinné Site of Community Importance includes the basalt hills of Hradiště (545 m above sea level) and Holý vrch (574 m above sea level). Both are remnants of a lava layer. On Hradiště, the landscape is shaped by partially wooded areas, steppe meadows, rocky outcrops and scree slopes. The Holý vrch u Hlinné area also contains habitats with rocks, rocky steppes, scree slopes and dry grasslands; among other plants, it is home to stands of the critically endangered koniklec otevřený. Frost weathering has formed distinctive rock formations on the western slope of Holý vrch, popularly known as “Učitel a žáci” (Teacher and Pupils).

Hiking Trails and Viewpoints

The summit of Hradiště can be reached from Hlinná via a yellow-marked hiking trail and offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. For a longer loop, the Hlinná–Kamýk nature trail leads from Hlinná towards Holý vrch, Velké hradiště and Plešivec before returning to the starting point. The route is about 10 km long. You can choose the order in which to visit the stops or walk only part of the trail.

Varhošť offers another viewpoint and is part of Kundratice, a district of Hlinná. A lookout tower stands on its summit, with views of the České středohoří and the course of the Elbe; from there, the river can be seen at eight points. The easy ascent follows the yellow trail from the saddle below Varhošť to the summit. The round trip is about 1.5 km. While Hradiště offers sweeping views of the landscape, the tower on Varhošť looks out over the Elbe. The distances can be compared directly when choosing a route: about 1.5 km for the round trip at Varhošť, compared with about 10 km for the Hlinná–Kamýk nature trail.

Archaeological Traces

Archaeological finds on the mountains Hradiště and Kamýk, about 1 km southeast of Hlinná, attest to the settlement of the municipal area by Celtic tribes from approximately the 3rd to the 1st century BC. These finds therefore provide a much earlier point of reference than the municipality’s first mention in 1337.

Slavnosti pastvin

At Slavnosti pastvin, you can try traditional crafts for yourself and see domestic and wild animals. The festival also features a market selling regional products. As the programme may vary from one edition to the next, check the event date and programme before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Vrutice, Horní Řepčice, Libkovice Pod Řípem, Vědomice, Černěves, Ploskovice, Černouček, Prackovice Nad Labem.

For the regional travel overview: Litoměřice District.