Kleť lookout tower
Are you walking through the countryside around Český Krumlov, a beautiful area of the Blanský Forest? Then be sure not to miss the view of it from a bird's eye view, which can be found from the lookout tower on the highest hill of the Blanský Forest, Mount Kleť. The unique circular view will be a great reward for a little effort when climbing. If you don't want to pedal uphill, you don't mind. A chairlift leads to the top, which will take you here comfortably all year round.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Kleť lookout tower
Hora Kleť measures 1084 m.n.m. and is the dominant feature of the northwestern part of the Český Krumlov district. Until the 18th century, the mountain was not a tourist destination as it is today, after all, tourism itself was not widespread at that time. In the middle of the 18th century, surveying work took place here as part of the mapping of the countries of the Austrian monarchy, and people rarely visited Austria here due to the beautiful view. But that soon changed.
The stone lookout tower, which still stands here today and is often visited, was built in the years 1822-1825 and is thus the oldest stone lookout tower in our country. It was built by Prince Josef Jan Nepomuk of Schwarzenberg, who was an avid tourist. The lookout tower was originally named after him Josef's Tower, and sometimes this name is still used today. Originally, this building was intended only for the private purposes of the Schwarzenberg family, but in the second half of the 19th century it was still open to the public. In 1872, a small house was built next to the lookout tower for its administrator, which was rebuilt in 1925 into Terezia's tourist cottage. In addition to the lookout tower and the cottage, there is a television transmitter on the top of the mountain and a observatory just below the top, where excursions for the public are also organized.
The view from the lookout tower is really beautiful in all directions. You will see the Třeboň and Českobudějovická basins, the Novohradské Mountains, the Šumava Mountains and, in good weather, also the Alps.
Hiking trails lead to the top of Kleť from many places, for example from Český Krumlov, Zlatá Koruna, Brloh, Holubov, Chvalšin or Křemže. The cable car has a lower station in the village Krasetín near Holubov.
Author: Martina Limbergová