Milešovka, Extinct volcano in Velemín, Czech Republic

Milešovka is an extinct volcano in Velemín, Czech Republic, rising to 836.6 meters (about 2,744 feet) as the highest point of the Central Bohemian Uplands. The cone-shaped summit is made of phonolite, a volcanic rock that gives the peak its symmetrical form.

The volcano formed roughly 20 to 30 million years ago during tectonic movements in the Tertiary period. This activity shaped large parts of the central European landscape and left many similar peaks across the region.

The name derives from the nearby village of Milešov, first mentioned in writing in 1521. German speakers called the mountain Milleschauer or Donnersberg (Thunder Mountain). Since 1951 the summit has been protected as a national nature reserve of 51.3 hectares, re-declared in 2013.

Three marked hiking trails lead to the summit, with the shortest route from Milešov covering about 2.5 kilometers. The climb requires good footwear, as some sections are rocky and can become slippery when wet.

Milešovka is considered the windiest mountain in the Czech Republic: windless conditions occur on only about eight days a year, with an average wind speed of 8.6 m/s. The highest gust, recorded on 14 January 1967, exceeded the 50 m/s limit of the measuring instrument.