Lesný

Lesný is the highest summit of the Slavkov Forest (Slavkovský les), rising to 983 metres above sea level near the village of Dolní Žandov in the far west of the Czech Republic, in the Cheb district. The peak sits within the cadastral territory of Úbočí u Dolního Žandova, close to the hamlet of Lazy that belongs to the municipality of Lázně Kynžvart, and it also happens to be the highest point in the entire Cheb district.

Where does the name Lesný come from?

The mountain carried two earlier names, Špičák and Judenhau, both hinting at its sharp, pointed silhouette when viewed from the surrounding valleys. Its current name, meaning roughly "forested one," was only introduced in 1946, as part of a broader postwar renaming of geographic features across the borderlands. The name fits: the summit and its slopes are blanketed almost entirely in spruce woodland.

What kind of landscape surrounds the peak?

Lesný rises at the heart of the Slavkov Forest, a roughly triangular upland wedged between three renowned spa towns — Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Mariánské Lázně. While the wider region is famous for its mineral springs, the summit area of Lesný itself is defined by dense conifer forest and a notably harsh microclimate: it records the coldest average annual temperature anywhere in the range, around 5°C, alongside the highest annual rainfall, exceeding 900 mm. The summit boundary also marks the edge of the Slavkovský les Protected Landscape Area, established in 1974 across 61 square kilometres to safeguard the range's geological and botanical heritage, much of it tied to its volcanic origins.

What can you see from the top?

Because the summit is almost completely wooded, the view is limited — clear sightlines open up only toward the south and west, where hikers can pick out the Dyleň hill in the Český les range and a section of the Smrčiny (Fichtel Mountains). At the very top stands a simple wooden shelter with a fire pit, a welcome rest stop for anyone who has just climbed through the forest.

How do you get to the summit?

A broad, easy path leads to the top, running mostly beneath spruce canopy. A popular circular route, just under 6 km long, starts in the centre of Lázně Kynžvart and follows the yellow-marked trail past the ruins of Kynžvart Castle before reaching the crossroads known as "Pod vysokým sedlem." The route is mapped on Mapy.cz and on the Czech Tourist Club's paper map No. 2, covering Slavkovský les and Mariánské Lázně.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Lesný? The summit reaches 983 metres above sea level, making it the highest point of the Slavkov Forest and of the entire Cheb district.

Are there views from the top? Only partially — dense forest blocks most of the panorama, with clear views available solely to the south and west, toward Dyleň and the Smrčiny range.

Is there any tourist infrastructure at the summit? Yes, a wooden shelter with a fireplace stands at the top, commonly used by hikers as a resting point along the trail.

What was the mountain called before? It was previously known as Špičák and Judenhau; the name Lesný was adopted in 1946.

Is the summit within a protected area? Yes, the boundary of the Slavkovský les Protected Landscape Area, created in 1974 to protect the region's geological and natural values, runs across the summit.