Lysina

Lysina is a hill rising to 982 metres above sea level in the cadastral area of Mariánské Lázně, in the Cheb district of the Karlovy Vary Region, right in the heart of the Slavkovský les (Slavkov Forest). It is the second-highest summit in the range — only its neighbour Lesný (983 m), across the border in the municipality of Dolní Žandov, stands slightly taller. Lysina belongs to a small sub-range known as the Lysinská hornatina and lies entirely within the Slavkovský les Protected Landscape Area.

Where is Lysina and how do you get there?

The hill rises close to the hamlet of Kladská, less than 1.5 km away, known for its peat bogs and a boardwalk nature trail that lets visitors cross the wetland without disturbing it. The nearest spa town is Lázně Kynžvart, about 4 km off, while Mariánské Lázně itself — one of the Czech Republic's best-known spa towns — lies a dozen or so kilometres to the south. The wider region is famous for its mineral springs and sanatoriums, which makes Lysina a natural day-trip target for spa guests looking to stretch their legs.

What can you see from the summit?

Surprisingly little. The top is covered in dense spruce-beech forest that blocks any wide view, and the highest point holds little more than a triangulation marker and a small, hard-to-identify structure. Anyone hoping for a panorama of the Slavkovský les is better off heading to one of the more open neighbouring hills — Lysina itself suits a quiet forest walk more than landscape photography.

What does the geology of Lysina look like?

The hill's bedrock is made up of light-coloured granite, with lithium-bearing granite containing topaz and greisen appearing on its eastern and southern slopes. Greisen forms when granite is altered by hot, fluorine- and boron-rich fluids, and its presence makes Lysina a point of interest for mineral enthusiasts — though the area is protected, and collecting specimens is not appropriate here.

What is the nature reserve on Lysina's slope?

The hill's north-western slope holds one of the component sites of the Kladské rašeliny (Kladská Peatlands) National Nature Reserve, a scattered protected complex covering several separate raised- and transitional-bog locations across the Slavkovský les. The section named "Lysina" covers roughly 43 hectares and protects the characteristic bog vegetation and habitats tied to the region's high-altitude peatlands.

What trails run through the area?

Lysina sits within a network of marked hiking trails connecting Kladská to nearby villages of the Slavkovský les. A walk here is usually paired with a visit to the Kladská peat bogs, where boardwalks let visitors observe wetland plants and wildlife safely, without stepping onto the protected ground. It is a popular option for visitors staying in the region's spa towns who want an outdoor outing without travelling far.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Lysina? 982 metres above sea level, making it the second-highest peak of the Slavkovský les, just behind neighbouring Lesný at 983 metres.

Is there a view from the top of Lysina? No — the summit is covered in dense forest that blocks the panorama. Only a triangulation point marks the highest spot.

What is notable about the hill's geology? Its bedrock is light granite, with lithium granite containing topaz and greisen found on some of its slopes — rock formed by hot mineral-rich fluids altering the original granite.

Is anything near Lysina protected as nature? Yes, the north-western slope holds a roughly 43-hectare section of the Kladské rašeliny National Nature Reserve, protecting peat bogs.

How far are the nearest attractions? The Kladská hamlet and its peat bogs are about 1.5 km from Lysina, and the spa town of Lázně Kynžvart is roughly 4 km away.