Bożanowski Szpiczak

Božanovský špičák is the highest summit of the Broumov Walls (Broumovské stěny) ridge on the Czech side of the Table Mountains, right along the Polish border in the municipality of Suchý Důl. Rising to 773 metres above sea level, it combines a sandstone rock maze with one of the widest viewpoints in the whole Broumov region.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The peak sits at the southern end of the Broumovské stěny, a ridge carved from Upper Cretaceous sandstone that arcs from the Broumov area up to the Polish frontier. The usual approach starts either from the village of Slavný or from the Machovský kříž trail junction; a red-marked trail climbs toward the summit, and right below the top it switches to a yellow marker as it threads through a compact rock town. A full loop hike from Slavný covers roughly 10 kilometres, making it a comfortable day trip for families and more serious hikers alike.

What can you see from the summit viewpoint?

At the very top, a railing-protected lookout has been built onto the exposed rock. From here the view opens across the Broumov region and neighbouring Poland, and on clear days it stretches to the Javoří hory range and the more distant summits of Hejšovina and Bor. Despite its modest elevation, this reach of visible landscape is exactly why the peak is considered one of the best viewpoints on this stretch of the Sudetes.

What is the "Stone Zoo" below the summit?

The final approach runs through a dense rock labyrinth where sandstone erosion has shaped blocks that look uncannily like animals. Hikers have long given them nicknames — a Camel, a Turtle, and a Squirrel appear along the lower path, while the narrower rock corridor closer to the top holds formations read as a cat, a monitor lizard, a duck, and a small stone horse. This playful gallery of shapes is why locals call the area the "Stone Zoo," and it has become one of the main draws of the hike.

What is the geology behind these formations?

Like the rest of the Broumovské stěny, Božanovský špičák is built of Cretaceous sandstone whose uneven hardness eroded at different rates over time. The result is a jagged crest, free-standing rock towers, and narrow passages squeezed between them — a landscape typical of the Table Mountains on both sides of the border, though the Czech side often shows an even more dramatic, fragmented relief than its Polish counterpart.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Božanovský špičák? The summit reaches 773 metres above sea level, making it the highest point of the entire Broumovské stěny ridge.

Is the trail to the top difficult? The approach winds through a rock maze and demands some care at the narrower passages, but the route is well marked and manageable for an averagely fit hiker.

How long does the hike take? The popular loop from Slavný is about 10 kilometres, typically taking three to four hours including stops at the viewpoints.

Can you see Poland from the summit? Yes — on a clear day the panorama takes in the Broumov region, the neighbouring Polish borderlands, and the Javoří hory range.