Malý Polom

Malý Polom is a forested summit at the eastern edge of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, reaching roughly 1,060-1,061 metres above sea level on the border Polomský ridge, within the Klokočov municipality, right along the Czech-Slovak frontier. It is here that a separate side range - the Ropice range (Pasmo Ropicy) - splits off toward the north, making Malý Polom a genuine junction point in the region's ridge system. About 1.5 km to the southeast sits Čuboňov, another summit on the same ridge already covered elsewhere.

What should hikers know about Malý Polom?

How high is it and where exactly does it sit?

Sources put the elevation at around 1,060-1,061 metres, placing it among the dozen or so highest points in the whole Moravian-Silesian Beskids - Czech sources rank it 12th on that list. The peak lies about 3.4-3.5 km southwest of the village of Horní Lomná, directly on the line separating the Czech Republic from Slovakia. A geodetic marker stands at the top, though the summit itself carries no monument or signage beyond that - typical for many of the lesser-known points along the Polomský ridge.

Why does this particular summit matter for the ridge system?

Malý Polom works as a hinge: it's the spot where the northbound Ropice range branches away from the main spine of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids. For a hiker walking the border ridge, that means a genuine choice appears here - keep following the frontier ridge east toward Velký Polom, or turn north onto the lower, more Poland-facing summits of the Ropice range.

What kind of nature surrounds the peak?

On the Slovak flank, right next to both Malý Polom and Čuboňov, a nature reserve protects patches of near-natural fir-beech forest mixed with spruce - among the better-preserved woodland remnants in this part of the Beskids, sheltering less common understory plants. Just below the summit, along one of the trails, a small forest spring lets hikers refill water.

Are there views from the top?

The summit is fully wooded, so there's no classic viewpoint here - much like neighbouring Čuboňov, the draw is the wild, lightly-trodden ridge trail itself rather than a panorama from the top. Wider views over the surrounding Beskid ranges and the Slovak hills open up from more exposed stretches of the ridge nearby.

Which trails lead to Malý Polom?

No marked trail runs directly over the summit, but a red and a blue trail cross just below it. The red trail follows the ridge from Mosty u Jablunkova (or from Bílý Kříž) toward Velký Polom and onward east - the main route for hikers tackling the full chain of border summits. The blue trail climbs from Horní Lomná toward Kozí hřbety, offering a way down into the valley. A signed cycling route also passes roughly 2 km from the peak.

Who is this route suited for?

This is a destination for hikers who value quiet forested ridges and longer traverses along the Czech-Slovak border, not for those after easy viewpoints or built-up tourist infrastructure - there are no huts or lifts anywhere nearby.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Malý Polom? Around 1,060-1,061 metres above sea level, depending on the source - one of the taller summits in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids.

Where exactly is Malý Polom located? On the Polomský ridge along the Czech-Slovak border, within Klokočov municipality, about 3.4 km from Horní Lomná and 1.5 km from Čuboňov.

Why does Malý Polom matter to hikers crossing the Beskids? It's the junction where the Ropice range breaks off to the north from the main border ridge, offering a choice of onward routes.

Are there views from the summit? No, the top is wooded; broader views come from more open stretches of ridge nearby.

How do you reach the summit? Via the red ridge trail (from Mosty u Jablunkova or Bílý Kříž) or the blue trail from Horní Lomná - both cross just below the peak.

Is there any tourist infrastructure there? No, it's a wild, forested stretch of ridge with no huts or lifts; the only amenity is a small spring by the trail.