The Highest Mountains in the Czech Republic: Top 15 Peaks and How to Climb Them

Ask anyone to name the highest mountains in the Czech Republic and Sněžka usually comes up first — rightly so. But behind that famous peak sits a whole league table of summits that turns out to be far more interesting than you might expect. The second-highest mountain is no accident of the Giant Mountains, the third trails by just a few dozen centimetres, and there is a lovely quirk to Sněžka itself: its very summit actually lies in Poland. We have put this guide together so you come away knowing not just the numbers, but how to reach these peaks for real.

We will walk you through the full list of the country’s highest summits, with exact elevations and the range each one belongs to, show which mountain crowns which range, and for the three most famous — Sněžka, Praděd and Lysá hora — we will share specific routes, timings and ascent figures.

The highest mountains in the Czech Republic: the top 15 peaks

The league table below ranks the highest mountains in the Czech Republic by elevation. The vast majority of the loftiest summits sit in the Giant Mountains, so we have also included the highest peaks of the other ranges (the Jeseníky, the Bohemian Forest, the Beskids, the Ore Mountains, the Jizera Mountains and the Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge), giving you a picture of the whole country rather than a single crest. For each mountain you will find its elevation, its range and how to climb it.

1. Sněžka — 1,603 m (Giant Mountains)

The highest mountain in the Czech Republic and in the whole of the Sudetes. It measures exactly 1,603.3 m and its summit lies on the Czech–Polish border — technically on the Polish side, while the highest Czech point is just a few centimetres lower, right next to it. On top you will find a post office and the chapel of St Lawrence, and on a clear day the view stretches for tens of kilometres.

How to climb it: the easiest way is the cable car from Pec pod Sněžkou (via the mid-station at Růžová hora). On foot, most people set off from Pec pod Sněžkou or Špindlerův Mlýn; the classic route from the Luční bouda mountain hut through the Obří důl valley is another favourite.

2. Luční hora — 1,555 m (Giant Mountains)

At 1,555.5 m, Luční hora is the highest mountain lying entirely within Czech borders — Sněžka, remember, has its summit in Poland. It rises along the ridge above the Luční bouda hut. The summit itself is off-limits to walkers for conservation reasons, but you can get right beneath it along the ridge path.

How to climb it: best reached from the Luční bouda hut, or via the Bílé Labe valley from Špindlerův Mlýn; the ridge path skirts around the peak.

3. Studniční hora — 1,554 m (Giant Mountains)

Neighbour to Luční hora, from which it is separated by barely half a metre (1,554 m). On its slopes, in the Úpská jáma cirque, lies the longest-lasting snow in the country — it sometimes survives right through the summer. This summit, too, sits in the national park’s strictest zone, so you cannot walk directly onto it.

How to climb it: along the ridge from the Luční bouda hut towards the Obří důl valley; you take in the summit from the path.

4. Vysoké Kolo — 1,509 m (Giant Mountains)

The highest peak of the western Giant Mountains. The absolute summit (1,510 m) lies on the Polish side, while the highest point on Czech soil sits at 1,508 m. You will find it above the Špindlerova bouda hut and the Pančavská louka meadow.

How to climb it: along the ridge path from the Labská bouda or Špindlerova bouda huts, a short way from the source of the Elbe.

5. Praděd — 1,491 m (Hrubý Jeseník)

The highest mountain in Moravia and Silesia, and the highest summit outside the Giant Mountains. The peak (roughly 1,491 m) is crowned by a 146 m television tower with a viewing platform and a restaurant — from that platform you stand at the highest reachable point in the country, even if it is a man-made one.

How to climb it: easiest from the Ovčárna chalet (a sealed road runs up past Hvězda from Karlova Studánka), from where it is about an hour on foot. A ridge walk also leads up from the Červenohorské sedlo pass.

6. Vysoká hole — 1,465 m (Hrubý Jeseník)

The second-highest mountain in the Jeseníky and in all of Moravia. A broad, bare plateau (1,465 m) with the Jeseníky’s distinctive tundra, mountain meadows and boulder fields. The summit sits within the Praděd National Nature Reserve, which protects rare alpine grassland — which is why the artificially planted dwarf pine is gradually being removed from the meadows. In the wind it is an inhospitable spot; on a clear day, the views are glorious.

How to climb it: along the ridge path from Praděd or Ovčárna heading south, or up from the Skřítek pass.

7. Petrovy kameny — 1,447 m (Hrubý Jeseník)

A rocky summit (1,447 m) steeped in legends of witches’ revels. The crags themselves are protected today and closed to the public, but the path runs right past them, and they rank among the most photogenic spots in the Jeseníky.

How to climb it: along the ridge path between Ovčárna and Vysoká hole — you pass them on the way to Praděd.

8. Keprník — 1,423 m (Hrubý Jeseník)

The fourth-highest mountain in the Jeseníky (1,423 m), in the northern part of the range. It is the highest peak of the Šerák–Keprník National Nature Reserve — the oldest reserve in Moravia (protected since 1903), with sweeping ridge-top peat bogs, ancient spruce forests and dwarf-pine cover. From the bare, rock-studded summit there is a fine panorama all the way to Praděd.

How to climb it: most often from the Červenohorské sedlo pass or from Šerák, which is served by a chairlift from Ramzová (via the Čerňava mid-station) — so you can cover part of the climb in comfort.

9. Králický Sněžník — 1,423 m (Králický Sněžník)

A hulking mountain on the Czech–Polish border and the highest point of the range that shares its name (1,423 m). The River Morava rises beneath the summit, and the little bronze elephant statue here is the stuff of local legend. The summit is broad and bare, with views far into Poland and across to the Jeseníky.

How to climb it: the classic route runs from the Návrší chalet (Dolní Morava) past the source of the Morava; set aside a proper full day for it.

10. Plechý — 1,378 m (Bohemian Forest)

The highest mountain on the Czech side of the Bohemian Forest (1,378 m). The highest peak of the whole range — Velký Javor, or Großer Arber (1,456 m) — lies in Germany, so on the Czech side Plechý reigns supreme. Tucked beneath it is the glacial Plešné jezero lake, backed by an imposing cirque wall.

How to climb it: from Plešné jezero (starting from Nová Pec or Jelení Vrchy), climbing steeply past the Stifter monument.

11. Boubín — 1,362 m (Bohemian Forest)

A celebrated Bohemian Forest peak (1,362 m), famous above all for the Boubín primeval forest on its slopes — one of the oldest protected reserves in the country. On the summit stands a 21 m wooden lookout tower from 2004, with views across the entire range.

How to climb it: the prettiest route runs up from Kubova Huť or from the Boubín tarn along the edge of the primeval forest.

12. Lysá hora — 1,324 m (Beskids)

The highest mountain in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids (1,323.7 m to be exact, usually rounded to 1,324 m). The “Queen of the Beskids” is renowned for its extreme weather and the highest rainfall totals in the country. On top you will find a mountain chalet, a transmitter and superb views along the ridges that fan out from Lysá hora.

How to climb it: most often from Ostravice (the yellow trail, or via Lukšinec), from Krásná or from Malenovice; more on the routes below.

13. Klínovec — 1,244 m (Ore Mountains)

The highest mountain in the Ore Mountains (1,244 m). The summit holds a restored 24 m stone lookout tower, a hulking concrete telecommunications mast and a former mountain hotel. The surrounding area is also the largest ski resort in the Ore Mountains, so in winter the place comes alive.

How to climb it: most comfortably by cable car from Jáchymov, or on foot along the waymarked trails from Boží Dar; a road runs almost all the way to the top.

14. Smrk — 1,124 m (Jizera Mountains)

The highest mountain on the Czech side of the Jizera Mountains (1,124 m). The summit holds a 20 m steel lookout tower, opened in 2003, from which you can see across to Ještěd, the Giant Mountains and into Poland. Watch out for the name clash: a slightly higher Smrk (1,127 m) also stands in the Rychlebské Mountains.

How to climb it: most often from Nové Město pod Smrkem along the blue trail, from Lázně Libverda or from Bílý Potok; reckon on roughly 7 to 8 km each way.

15. Ještěd — 1,012 m (Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge)

The iconic peak above Liberec (1,012 m), instantly recognisable for the hyperbolic hotel-and-transmitter building designed by the architect Karel Hubáček (completed in 1973). It is the highest point of the Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge and one of the best-known symbols of northern Bohemia.

How to climb it: most comfortably by cable car from Liberec; on foot, most people set off from Výpřež or straight from Liberec. The traditional New Year’s Day ascent is hugely popular.

The highest mountain of each Czech range

If you fancy ticking off summits right across the country, here is an overview of the highest mountains of each Czech range, with verified elevations:

How to climb Sněžka, Praděd and Lysá hora

Climbing Sněžka (1,603 m)

The easiest way up is the cable car from Pec pod Sněžkou via the Růžová hora mid-station — from the top station it is just a few minutes’ walk to the summit, so children and less confident walkers manage it easily. On foot, most people choose the route from Pec pod Sněžkou through the Obří důl valley and past the Luční bouda hut, or the direct, steep climb along the “Jubilejní cesta” (Jubilee Path). From the Polish side, a chairlift runs from Karpacz to the Kopa sub-peak.

Climbing Praděd (1,491 m)

The simplest option: drive (or take the seasonal bus) up to the Ovčárna chalet and walk from there along the sealed road, roughly an hour to the summit. Prettier but longer is the ridge walk from the Červenohorské sedlo pass (around 10 km), or the steep climb from Kouty nad Desnou past the Dlouhé stráně pumped-storage reservoir. On top, take the lift up the transmitter to the viewing platform.

Climbing Lysá hora (1,324 m)

Lysá hora is a firm favourite, but do not underestimate it — the weather here turns fast. The classic starting points:

• From Ostravice — the most popular trailhead, either along the yellow trail via Lukšinec (longer and gentler) or more steeply along the red.
• From Krásná — a shorter, brisker climb; the road to the summit runs this way too.
• From Malenovice — past waterfalls and the mountain chalet, a popular loop option.

Reckon on roughly 2 to 3 hours up, depending on the route and your fitness; the ascent is around 700 to 900 m. There is a mountain chalet on the summit, so you can warm up and grab a bite.

You can also pair the summits with a cable car or a climb by joining an organised, guided tour or activity — browse trips and experiences in the Czech Republic here →

Where to next

• Mountains in the Czech Republic (2026)
• The highest mountains of the Bohemian Forest (2026)
• What to see in the Beskids (2026)
• Where to head out into nature (2026)

Frequently asked questions