Uplaz

Uplaz is a modest but scenic peak in the Silesian Beskids (Czech: Moravskoslezské/Těšínské Beskydy), rising to roughly 949–950 m above sea level on the ridge shared by the villages of Dolní Lomná and Horní Lomná, on the Czech side of Cieszyn Silesia, just a few kilometers from the Slovak border. It's a destination for travelers who want a quiet, forest-focused outing rather than a crowded summit push — the same dense woods and gentle ridgelines that define the Beskids, minus the tourist rush of the range's taller peaks.

Why is Uplaz worth a visit?

The mountain's biggest draw is its neighbor: the Mionší primeval forest nature reserve, one of Central Europe's rare surviving fragments of old-growth woodland. This beech-fir forest covers 169.7 hectares and has been protected since 1954, growing directly on Uplaz's ridge and slopes. Parts of the stand have never been logged, so visitors can see centuries-old beeches and firs, moss-covered fallen trunks, and the layered, multi-tiered structure typical of a genuinely untouched forest — a very different sight from the managed commercial forests elsewhere in the region.

What's along the trail?

The area around Uplaz sits at a crossroads of hiking routes reaching deeper into the Silesian Beskids. From here, trails continue to the Tetřev lookout tower, up to the higher summit of Velký Polom (1067 m), or to the Slavíč mountain chalet, a popular rest stop for hikers passing through this part of the range. The terrain around Uplaz itself is classic Beskid country: rolling ridges, forest clearings, and occasional sandstone outcrops that break up the walk.

A history of mountain pastures

Before it became a hiking destination, Uplaz was one of the mountain "salaš" settlements — seasonal pastoral outposts that once defined farming life in the Lomná valley. It stood alongside similar settlements at Jelitov, Přelač, Křínov, and Gluvčín. Traces of that pastoral past — clearings, old paths, remnants of grazing land — can still be read in the landscape, even though forest now dominates the terrain.

Who is this trail for?

Uplaz suits hikers who value time in the forest more than ticking off another summit. Gentle approaches and the proximity of the Mionší reserve make it a good fit for families with children as well as nature lovers looking for a quieter corner of the Silesian Beskids. Spring and autumn are especially rewarding, when the light filtering through the old-growth canopy is at its most striking.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Uplaz? The summit reaches roughly 949–950 meters above sea level.

What's near Uplaz? The Mionší primeval forest nature reserve — an old-growth beech-fir forest protected since 1954 — sits directly on its ridge and slopes. Nearby you'll also find the Tetřev lookout tower, the Velký Polom summit, and the Slavíč mountain chalet.

Are there marked hiking trails in the area? Yes, the region is well connected by a network of trails linking Uplaz to the surrounding attractions of the Silesian Beskids.

What was Uplaz used for historically? It was one of the former pastoral "salaš" settlements in the Lomná valley, alongside Jelitov, Přelač, Křínov, and Gluvčín.

Where exactly is Uplaz located? On the ridge shared by the villages of Dolní Lomná and Horní Lomná, in the Silesian Beskids (Czech: Těšínské/Moravskoslezské Beskydy), close to the Czech-Slovak border.