Guardians of the Views

Do you love views of the countryside? Just picture it – a summer sunset accompanied by a sweeping view of Bohemian Switzerland – have we piqued your interest? If so, even just a little, we’ve got a few tips for you here on observation towers in the heart of Bohemian Switzerland.

Our first tip is the Růženka Viewing Tower, situated on Pastevní Hill in the village of Růžová. It is a modern concrete structure which is set to be covered in ivy in the future. The viewing tower only opened to the public in 2018. Růženka is a great choice for families with children, as you can park right next to the church in the village of Růžová, and from there it’s about one kilometre to the top. From the tower, in good weather, you can see the České středohoří, the Lužické hory and Saxon Switzerland – Děčínský Sněžník, Jedlová, Pravčická brána and many others.

The second viewing tower we’d like to introduce here is Tanečnice near Mikulášovice. It is the northernmost viewing tower in the Czech Republic. The tower’s history dates back to the late 19th century. From the top, you can see Saxon Switzerland, the Lusatian Mountains, the Czech Central Mountains, the Ore Mountains and even the Krkonoše Mountains. It might help you make up your mind to know that the observation tower also has a refreshment area, so you needn’t worry about having nowhere to recharge your batteries after the hike. Transport is another bonus. The Lužickohorský Rychlík now runs regularly from Prague to Mikulášovice.

The third tip for lovers of stunning views is the Dymník observation tower near Rumburk. Dymník is about two kilometres from the town of Rumburk. From the top, you’ll be treated to views of the Lužické Mountains, Rumburk, Ještěd and more. To add some variety to a family day out, why not try football golf, which is available in the area around Dymník? The observation tower is also part of the Dymník nature trail. As for the route from Rumburk, it’s by no means a physically demanding walk.

A fourth possible destination for observation tower enthusiasts is the Studenec observation tower. This tower is situated near the town of Česká Kamenice. The history of Studenec dates back to the very end of the 19th century, but it underwent extensive renovation before 2010 and had to be transported to the summit by helicopter. From the tower, you can see, for example, Růžový vrch, Vlčí hora and Děčínský Sněžník. The tower is situated on the border between the Lužické Mountains and Bohemian Switzerland. With a bit of luck, you may spot chamois in the surrounding forests, as this is a common habitat for them.

Our final tip – given the easing of anti-coronavirus measures – is the Weifbergturm observation tower, which is situated in Germany. The tower stands on the hill of the same name near the village of Hinterhermsdorf.