Babí Lom

Babí lom is the highest peak in the immediate vicinity of Brno, rising to 562 meters above sea level on the border between the cadastral territories of Lelekovice and Svinošice, in the northern part of the Drahanská vrchovina upland, within its Adamovská vrchovina sub-unit. A slightly lower southern summit, at 521 meters, carries the hill's signature lookout tower, which was rebuilt and reopened to visitors in August 2022.

How do you get to Babí lom?

Three marked hiking trails converge on the summit, so the best route mostly depends on where you're starting from. The red trail begins in Lelekovice itself and continues on toward Vranov afterward — the shortest and most direct climb for anyone based in or near the village. From Kuřim, a blue trail leads up to the peak and then carries on to Šebrovo-Kateřiny. The third option is a yellow trail starting in Svinošice, on the opposite side of the massif. All three are straightforward walking routes that need no special equipment, which is exactly why the hill is such a popular half-day trip for people living in Brno who want quick access to nature just outside the city.

What will you see at the top?

The ridge of Babí lom is built from a resistant Lower Devonian sandstone conglomerate, stretched noticeably along a north-south axis — this geology is precisely what gave the hill its sharp, rocky profile. Because of its notable natural values, the entire ridge is protected as a nature reserve covering 23.1 hectares, and the separate Holé vrchy reserve sits on the massif's southeastern slopes.

The main draw for visitors is the 15-meter lookout tower with two observation platforms; the higher one, where most people head, sits at 12 meters. From there, one of the widest panoramas around Brno opens up: the ridgelines of the Drahanská vrchovina and Žďárské vrchy, the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, the Chřiby hills and Ždánický les forest, and — on a clear day — the city of Brno itself, with Špilberk Castle standing out above the rooftops. That sweeping view, combined with how close the hill sits to a major city, is what makes Babí lom one of the most-visited lookout points in South Moravia.

When should you visit?

Since all three approaches are walking-only trails with moderate elevation gain, Babí lom is a realistic destination in any season. Spring and autumn tend to bring the clearest air, which stretches the view from the tower the furthest — those are the days when the Chřiby hills and Žďárské vrchy show up most distinctly on the horizon. In summer, the hill is a popular afternoon escape from Brno's heat. In winter, snow cover gives the forested slopes and the rocky ridge a striking look, though the steeper stretches of trail can ice over, so sturdier footwear is worth packing.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Babí lom? The main summit reaches 562 meters above sea level, making it the highest point in Brno's immediate surroundings. The lookout tower itself stands on the lower, southern summit, at 521 meters.

How many platforms does the lookout tower have? The tower is 15 meters tall and has two observation platforms, with the higher one located at 12 meters.

Which trail is the shortest way up? For most visitors, the red trail starting directly in Lelekovice is the most convenient — it's the most direct climb among the three marked approaches.

What can you see from the tower on a clear day? The panorama takes in the Drahanská vrchovina, the Žďárské vrchy, the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, the Chřiby hills, the Ždánický les forest, and the city of Brno with Špilberk Castle at its center.