*A tour around Luž (793m), the highest peak in the Lužické mountains: 4 km to 7 km*

• Luž (793m), which straddles the Czech-German border, is the highest peak in the Lužické hory. It also boasts a brilliant panoramic view, from the modern viewing tower constructed in 2020 on the German side of the peak.
• Luž is a classic conical Lužické hory peak, created when hot magma funnelled through the Cretaceous sandstone rock layer during the building of the Alps, some 20 to 30 million years ago. The magma solidified and the surrounding sandstone was eroded away leaving the characteristic domes of hardened basalt.
• There is a good path – which is not too steep – on both the Czech and German sides of the peak, creating an opportunity for a nice circular route from the south (Cz) to the north (D) side. The closest access by public transport on the Czech side of the mountain is in the village of Dolní Světlá, 3.5 km from the summit. However, for drivers, there is a free parking area much closer to the summit, at the Chata Luž trail junction.
• The circular route from the Chata, crossing into Germany is 4 km, whereas the circular route from the Dolní Světlá bus stop is 7.5 km and involves a section along the public road (the latter route is shown in the map below and involves 320m of height to ascend/descend).
• One of the best things about this short walk (in addition to the super views from the summit tower) are the number of options for refreshments along the way! At Chata Luž, there are a couple of good restaurants, including the picturesque Lužická bouda. On the German side there is an excellent hotel/restaurant, with an extensive menu and pleasant terrace, the Rübezahlbaude. Finally, if finishing in Dolní Světlá there are a number of restaurants on the road back down to the bus stop,

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

• Starting in Dolní Světlá, follow the public road towards Horní Světla village (cycle track 21)
• After 1.3 reach the trail junction in Horní Světla and turn right onto the GREEN trail heading in the direction of Chata Luž, which is reached after 1 km
• At the Chata Luž parking area, join the RED trail heading towards the Pod Luž junction, which is reached after 500m
• At the junction join the red triangle diversion trail, which leads to the summit after 900m
• After taking in the view from the tower, descend on the German side of the mountain, following the GREEN trail for 1.4 km to reach the Waltersdorf junction
• At the junction join the RED trail heading back to Dolní Světlá, which is reached after 2 km