Stříbrný vrch

Stříbrný vrch is a rocky summit in the Novohradské Mountains, rising above the village of Pohorská Ves in South Bohemia, right along the Czech-Austrian border. Don't expect crowds or a paved trail with information boards here — this is a spot for travelers who want something beyond another marked hiking path in the Novohradské hory, a piece of history tucked into the forest and a rocky ridge with views over the borderland.

Where is Stříbrný vrch located?

The hill reaches 941 meters above sea level and forms part of a ridge stretching between Pohorská Ves and Žofín, roughly 4 kilometers southeast of Pohorská Ves itself and just 1 kilometer from the Czech-Austrian border. This is a remote, lightly visited corner of the Novohradské Mountains, administratively part of the Český Krumlov District in the South Bohemian Region. Pohorská Ves itself is a relatively young settlement, founded only in 1769 as a logging outpost on land that belonged to the Buquoy family estate.

How do you get to the summit?

This is where the real adventure starts — there is no marked hiking trail leading to Stříbrný vrch. Reaching it takes some navigation skill and a good map. From the south, a reinforced road runs up from the former settlement of Terčí Huť, taking hikers most of the way to the base of the summit. The final stretch, leading up to the rocky top, still has preserved stone steps cut into the slope — a leftover from the era when Stříbrný vrch was a popular excursion destination, much like the neighboring Pivonický vrch. This piece of tourist infrastructure dates back to before World War II, when crowds from nearby towns would come here for a day out.

What can you see on site?

The main draw is the rocky summit itself, offering views across the hills of the Czech-Austrian borderland. About 110 meters north of the top stands a stone cairn — a monument to the Buquoy family, inscribed "Karl Georg's Tanne 1927," commemorating a member of the influential family that managed the surrounding estates and forests for generations. The slopes around the summit are covered with acidic and flower-rich beech forests with a distinctive, species-rich composition. The area enjoys nature protection status thanks to its well-preserved natural stands and the numerous bird species that nest in these woods.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring and summer are ideal, when the approach road from Terčí Huť is dry and easy to walk, and the lush beech forest is at its most vivid. Autumn is a great time for photographing the colorful woods and enjoying better visibility from the exposed rocky ridge. In winter, reaching the unmarked summit can be difficult and even risky, since snow and ice make the old stone steps slippery.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a marked hiking trail to Stříbrný vrch? No, the hill has no officially marked trail. Getting there requires independent navigation, ideally with a map, following the road from the former settlement of Terčí Huť on the southern side.

How high is Stříbrný vrch? The summit reaches 941 meters above sea level and sits on the ridge between Pohorská Ves and Žofín in the Novohradské Mountains.

What does the stone cairn near the summit commemorate? It's a monument to the Buquoy family, former owners of the surrounding estate, inscribed "Karl Georg's Tanne 1927," located about 110 meters north of the top.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes, the nearby Pivonický vrch is a similar hill that was also a popular hiking destination before World War II, and the surrounding forests are protected for their natural, species-rich beech woodland.