Tuhošť

Tuhošť is a 601-metre hill in the Švihov Highlands (Švihovská vrchovina), in the municipality of Švihov, Klatovy District, Plzeň Region, western Czech Republic. It isn't a peak widely known outside the region, but for locals and visitors exploring the area around Švihov it's a recognisable landmark — and its slopes hide traces of settlement going back thousands of years.

Where is Tuhošť and how high does it rise?

Tuhošť reaches 601 metres above sea level, making it one of the higher points in the Švihov Highlands, the rolling upland stretching around the valley of the river Úhlava. The hill has a topographic prominence of roughly 124 metres, lies just under 2 km south of the village of Lhovice, and is a few kilometres from Švihov itself — a small town best known for its imposing moated castle on the Úhlava. Nearby rise several other distinctive hills of the same range, including Běleč, Lysina, Čertovák and Hora, together forming the wooded, hilly landscape typical of the Pošumaví foothills.

What is the climb to the top like?

Tuhošť is freely accessible year-round and needs no special equipment or climbing experience — it's a gentle, unremarkable summit rather than a technical mountain. There is no shelter, lookout tower or lift on top, and dense forest covering the summit means there are no wide views from the highest point itself. The hill and its neighbour Běleč are, however, clearly visible as two prominent landmarks from a nearby valley trail around Švihov, a route that partly overlaps with a nature and history educational path around the town. Tuhošť also appears on several lists popular with regional peak-baggers, such as the "highest hills of the Plzeň Region" and "highest hills of the Švihov Highlands" rankings.

What history does the hill hold?

Tuhošť is more than a target for hill-climbers — it is also an archaeological site. On its slopes and summit, near the village of Lhovice, lie the remains of a former hillfort known as Tuhošť. The hill's steep, hard-to-reach slopes made it a naturally defensible spot, and Bronze Age settlers took advantage of this by founding a settlement here. The first archaeological surveys, carried out in the 19th century, uncovered bronze hoards and the remains of burial mounds from that period, confirming the site was inhabited long before the nearby town of Švihov and its famous castle came into existence.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Tuhošť? 601 metres above sea level, with a prominence of around 124 metres relative to the surrounding terrain.

Where exactly is Tuhošť located? In the Švihov Highlands, just under 2 km south of the village of Lhovice, in the Klatovy District of the Plzeň Region.

Can you see the surrounding area from the summit? Not really — the top is forested, so there are no wide views from the highest point; the hill is best appreciated from nearby valley trails.

Are there traces of early settlement on Tuhošť? Yes, the hill hosts a Bronze Age hillfort where archaeologists have found bronze hoards and burial mounds.