Kamenný vrch

Kamenný vrch is a forested summit in the Žďárské vrchy (Žďár Highlands), part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands within the Vysočina Region, reaching 802.5 m above sea level. It sits roughly 4 km west of the village of Herálec and about 7 km from Devět skal, the highest point of the entire range. It isn't a peak known for panoramic views, but for hikers exploring the quiet, wooded landscape of Vysočina it makes an interesting stop on the way toward Devět skal or Šindelný vrch.

What should you know before hiking Kamenný vrch?

The whole summit is covered by dense forest, so there's no lookout tower or open rock face with a view here — this is a spot for quiet forest hiking rather than landscape photography. At the very top stands a small stone cairn that has long served hikers as an orientation marker along the surrounding trails. Kamenný vrch belongs to the so-called "eight-hundreders" of the Žďárské vrchy — summits exceeding 800 m — making it one of the higher elevations in this part of Vysočina.

What natural features are nearby?

On the slope descending toward Šindelný vrch lies the spring of the Sázava River, one of the region's major rivers, which continues through the Žďár area and the Central Bohemian Region before eventually joining the Vltava. Hills like Kamenný vrch form part of the watershed feeding its upper course, which for many visitors is an extra reason to come here — you can literally stand at the birthplace of a major river.

Is there anything related to aviation history nearby?

Yes — near the summit stands a modest memorial to the pilots who died when a supersonic MiG-23 aircraft crashed on 5 November 1997. This memorial site, rarely mentioned in guidebooks, draws visitors interested in military aviation history and local heritage.

How do you get to Kamenný vrch?

The usual starting point is Herálec, a small village in the Žďár nad Sázavou district, from where trails lead through the forest toward the summit and onward to Devět skal, one of the main attractions of the whole Žďárské vrchy range. The route makes for a relaxed, multi-hour walk with no technical difficulty, though sturdy footwear is advisable given the sometimes damp forest terrain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is Kamenný vrch? The summit reaches 802.5 m above sea level and belongs to the "eight-hundreders" of the Žďárské vrchy.

Is there a view from the top? No — the summit is entirely forested, so there is no lookout point or tower there.

What's at the very top? A small stone cairn that serves as a trail orientation marker.

How far is it from Herálec and Devět skal? About 4 km west of Herálec and roughly 7 km from Devět skal.

What else is worth seeing along the way? The spring of the Sázava River on the slope toward Šindelný vrch, and a memorial to the victims of the 1997 MiG-23 crash.