The best hiking routes in CHKO České středohoří

CHKO Āesk středohoř is defined by its striking volcanic topography, where individual basalt cones rise abruptly from a flat agricultural basin. Unlike contiguous mountain ranges, this landscape consists of isolated peaks, meaning your walks will involve steep, short climbs followed by descents back into open fields. The underlying volcanic rock dictates the vegetation, with dry grassland and scree forests clinging to the southern slopes, while northern faces support damp beech woods. Underfoot, you will mostly encounter loose basalt scree, stony dirt paths, and grassy tracks that can be slippery after rain.

Walking here means navigating a mix of open, sun-exposed hillsides and shaded forest patches. The lower elevations are heavily shaped by human activity, featuring fruit orchards and small villages, while the steep summits remain wilder. You will notice a distinct contrast between the bare, rocky summits like Milešovka and the wooded valleys that separate them. There are no vast pine forests or deep sandstone gorges here; the scenery is defined by these repeating volcanic domes and the agricultural land between them.

In May, the southern grassy slopes of hills like Rana are covered in blooming steppe vegetation, making the geological contrast between the dry, bald hills and the green valleys especially clear. The main trails are marked with standard Czech hiking markers, often following old farm tracks before turning into steep, rocky paths near the summits. While the most prominent peaks attract local day-trippers, the lesser-known hills and the connecting paths through the fields offer a much quieter walking experience.