Vysoký hřbet

Vysoký hřbet is a long mountain ridge near Prášily, right in the heart of the Šumava (Bohemian Forest) range, rising to 1,078 m above sea level. Its German name, Hochruck, is a reminder of the German-speaking communities that once lived across this part of Bohemia. Today it's a quieter corner of the Šumava uplands, appreciated by hikers who prefer open views without the crowds.

Where is Vysoký hřbet located?

The ridge sits in the Klatovy district, roughly 6 km west of Hartmanice, within the municipal area of Prášily. It runs in a distinctive west–east orientation. Its southern and southwestern slopes drop down toward the Křemelná valley, while the northern and northeastern slopes descend into the Volšovka valley, which lies around 300 meters lower. Because of this asymmetry, the views change noticeably depending on which side of the ridge you're walking.

What can you see at the summit?

The top of the ridge holds a wooden cabin and a geodetic survey point marking the highest ground. About 200 meters from the summit stands an old cross set into stone — a modest trace of the people who once lived in these hills. Nearby once stood the settlement of Skelná, founded after 1617 as a glassworks. The glass furnace closed as early as 1687 due to a shortage of firewood, yet the settlement itself endured for centuries, counting around 400 residents by 1900. It vanished only in the 1950s, when the entire area was absorbed into the Dobrá Voda military training zone as part of the sealed Iron Curtain border strip. That chapter of history is hard to read from the landscape today, but it explains why the area around Vysoký hřbet remains so undeveloped and quiet.

How do you get to Vysoký hřbet?

Two green-marked trails cross the ridge. The easiest approach starts at the parking area by the Skelná crossroads and leads through open pastures straight up onto the ridge — a route with no technical difficulty, suitable for most walkers. A popular circular hike covers about 4.5 km with roughly 200 meters of elevation gain, comfortably done in two to three hours. A cycling route also runs along the ridge, making the area appealing to both hikers and mountain bikers exploring the western Šumava plateau.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring and summer are the best seasons, when the meadows leading up to the ridge turn green and flower-studded, and the views over the Křemelná and Volšovka valleys are at their clearest. Autumn brings a calmer, more atmospheric mood along with colorful surrounding forests. Winter is suitable for quiet snowshoe outings, though it demands proper preparation — the area is remote and tourist infrastructure is minimal.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Vysoký hřbet? The summit reaches 1,078 m above sea level, making it one of the more prominent elevations in western Šumava.

Where's the best place to start the hike? The simplest starting point is the parking area at the Skelná crossroads, from which a trail leads through meadows up to the ridge.

What's interesting to see at the top? A wooden cabin, a geodetic survey point, and an old stone-set cross about 200 meters from the summit.

Why is the surrounding area so sparsely inhabited? The former settlement of Skelná disappeared in the 1950s when the area became part of a sealed military border zone — leaving behind quiet forest and meadow instead of villages.