Climb to the Top of Ema Heap

A hill that breathes, burns, and remembers.

Join us on a walk to one of Ostrava’s most extraordinary landmarks — Ema Heap.

This striking artificial hill, with its conical shape visible from many parts of the city, is a reminder of Ostrava’s coal mining legacy. Created from nearly 28 million tons of mining waste, Ema is not a natural hill — and it hides some truly surprising secrets.

Unlike ordinary hills, Ema is still alive.
The material beneath its surface continues to smolder, reaching temperatures of up to 1500°C. Gases such as methane and sulfur dioxide escape through the ground, creating a warm microclimate where rare minerals form and unusual plants and animals thrive. Even in winter, snow is a rare sight on Ema. But no worries — the trail is completely safe.

As we climb, you will hear fascinating stories of Ostrava’s industrial past — about the miners, the cableways that once crossed the area, and even about the people who made a living scavenging the heaps or building their own "nations" on this strange landscape.

At the top, you will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views — stretching across the city and all the way to the Beskydy and Jeseníky mountain ranges and beyond.

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The tour lasts approximately 100 minutes and covers a distance of 3 km.
The price depends on the number of participants.
We can tailor the tour to your needs.

Burgertová Sylva
Guiding Services Coordinator
M: +420 602 533 890
E: pruvodce@ostravainfo.cz