Bedřichov

Bedřichov is a modest 279-metre hill on the western edge of Kolín, sitting in the Ohrada part of the Nová Ves I municipality. Once known simply as Novoveský vrch, the hill gained a new identity in 2018 when a timber lookout tower turned an ordinary field into one of the best viewpoints in the Kolín area.

How do you get to Bedřichov?

The hill lies directly on the yellow-marked hiking trail running from Kolín to Klavary, making it an easy stop for both walkers and cyclists. From the centre of Kolín it's a short trip — the kind of destination you can fit into a spare afternoon rather than a full day out. The tower is freely accessible year-round, with no entrance fee and no fixed opening hours, so there's no need to time your visit around anything.

What can you see from the lookout tower?

The tower itself stands 14 metres tall, with the viewing platform set at 12.6 metres above ground — high enough to clear the surrounding fields and trees. Getting to the top takes just 66 steps, a climb of only a few minutes even with children in tow.

From the platform, the view opens up in every direction. Looking east you'll spot the town of Kolín and nearby Velký Osek, while the Železné hory (Iron Mountains) form part of the horizon. On a clear day, the outline of the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) is visible in the far distance, despite the considerable gap separating them from Bedřichov. The chimneys of the Chvaletice power plant also stand out as a distinctive landmark in the landscape. It's precisely this breadth of view — unusually wide for such a low hill — that draws local walkers and cyclists back again and again.

The story behind the tower

The lookout tower on Bedřichov was built by the municipality of Nová Ves I, within whose administrative boundaries the hill lies. It was ceremonially opened on 22 December 2018, just before the Christmas holidays, quickly becoming a favourite spot for festive walks and the first easily accessible viewpoint of its kind in this part of the Kolín region.

What else is worth knowing about the area?

Close to the hill stands a monument commemorating the Battle of Kolín, fought in 1757 — one of the pivotal engagements of the Seven Years' War, in which Austrian forces defeated the Prussian army of Frederick the Great. It's an easy way to pair a short scenic walk with a bit of regional history, without needing a dedicated museum visit or a separately planned historical trip.

The countryside around Bedřichov is classic central Bohemian farmland — gentle slopes, open fields and small groves of trees that turn colour in summer and autumn, providing a pleasant backdrop for photos from the viewing platform.

When is the best time to visit Bedřichov?

The tower is open all year, but the best views come on a clear, cloudless day — most reliably in spring and autumn, when the air is cleaner and visibility stretches furthest, improving the chances of catching the Krkonoše on the horizon. In summer, an early morning or pre-sunset visit is worth planning, when the light is softer and the exposed hilltop is more comfortable temperature-wise.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the Bedřichov lookout tower? No, the tower is freely accessible at any time, with no fee and no set opening hours.

How many steps lead to the viewing platform? There are 66 steps to the platform, which sits 12.6 metres above ground.

What can you see from the tower on a clear day? Kolín, Velký Osek, the Železné hory, the Chvaletice power plant, and, in exceptionally good visibility, the Krkonoše mountains.

What's the easiest way to reach the tower from Kolín? Follow the yellow-marked hiking trail between Kolín and Klavary, which passes directly by the Bedřichov hill.