*Views from the table mountain of Děčínský Sněžník: 5 km to 8 km*

• Děčínský Sněžník (723m) is a famous sandstone ‘table mountain’ that looks down upon the northern Bohemian town of Děčín in the remarkable landscape of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. There are extensive views from all round the summit plateau across northern Bohemia and into Germany. On the summit is also a 33 m high stone lookout tower dating from 1864, one of the oldest in the Czech Republic.
• The sandstone that forms the mountain was laid down around 90 million years ago during the Cretaceous geological period, when much of northern and central Bohemia was flooded with a shallow tropical sea. When the seas retreated, the deposited sand was gradually transformed into rock and then in more recent times uncovered and eroded into the remarkable sandstone rock formations and mountains of northern Bohemia. Volcanic intrusions created mineral deposits that served to strength some layers and parts of the sandstone, resulting in different rates of erosion and the characteristic column and ‘mushroom’ shapes: there are some good examples of these mushroom rocks on the western side of the mountain.
• The closest access point for the ascent of Děčínský Sněžník is the village of Sněžník on the western side of the mountain. There are bus connections there from Děčín and a small car park. The trip to the viewing tower is approximately 2 km from the village. However, for a longer (and more varied) approach to the summit, start from the Kristin Hrádek bus stop on the northeast flank of the mountain. This also has direct buses from Děčín and a small parking area.
• The route to the summit from Kristin Hrádek passes through the attractive mixed woodland (mostly spruce) and follows the cliff edge with views into Bohemia. From the observation tower (payment required) there is a nature trail that circuits the entire summit plateau, offering excellent views to all quarters. The return can be made to Kristin Hrádek along the outbound trail or descend to Sněžník and catch the bus from there.
• The route from Kristin Hrádek to the summit and back with a full tour of the plateau area is around 8 km long with up to 250m of height to climb/descend. The summit approaches are reasonably steep but not difficult. The observation tower has a refreshment kiosk and next door there is a mountain hut which also serves food. Both appear only to be open at the same times as the tower (usually April to October).

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Start at the Kristin Hrádek and follow the GREEN hiking trail all the way to the observation tower, which is reached in 3 km
• From the tower, follow the RED hiking trail in the direction of Sněžník descending slightly until reaching the road
• At the road, turn right (off the RED trail) and follow the road back up the mountain, following the nature trail marks – green/white diagonal stripes
• Follow the nature trail as it circuits the northern section of the plateau and then returns to the observation tower
• Return back to Kristin Hrádek on the GREEN trail used for the outbound route