Biskupská kupa (rozhledna)

Biskupská kupa is an 889-metre summit in the Zlatohorská vrchovina highlands, part of the Jeseníky mountain range, sitting right on the Czech-Polish border about 2.5 km east of the Czech town of Zlaté Hory. It carries the oldest surviving lookout tower in the entire Jeseníky range, which makes it one of the region's most notable hiking destinations.

Why is there a tower on this particular hill?

The first viewing structure on Biskupská kupa went up in 1890 — a wooden platform that stood alongside the very first post office on Moravian territory. It didn't last long: a strong windstorm brought it down just six years later. In 1898 the Moravian-Silesian Sudeten Mountain Association replaced it with an 18-metre stone tower, built to mark the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I's reign. The tower was formally opened on 26 August 1898 and has served hikers ever since.

The hill itself has a much older claim to fame as a border marker. Since 1229, in the Middle Ages, it divided the bishoprics of Wrocław and Olomouc — a history that gave the summit its name ("Bishop's Hill").

What can you see from the top?

On a clear day the tower opens up views deep into Poland as well as toward the peaks of the Low and High Jeseníky. The town of Zlaté Hory itself is visible at the foot of the hill. It's this cross-border, two-mountain-range panorama that draws roughly 50,000 visitors to Biskupská kupa every year.

How do you get to Biskupská kupa?

Most hikers start from Zlaté Hory, from where marked trails lead to the summit. At 2.5 km, the climb typically takes a little over an hour one way, depending on the route and pace. Because the summit sits right on the border, many visitors combine it with trails on the Polish side of the Sudetes.

What's the tower entry like today?

Since 2024, access to the tower has been handled through self-service turnstiles that accept both cash and card payments — a change that has helped keep things moving during busy summer weekends when the summit gets crowded.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Biskupská kupa? The summit reaches 889 metres above sea level, and the stone lookout tower on top adds another 18 metres.

Is it really the oldest tower in the Jeseníky mountains? Yes — the current stone tower dates to 1898 and is the oldest surviving lookout tower anywhere in the Jeseníky range.

How many people visit each year? Around 50,000 visitors climb the tower annually.

How do you pay for entry? Since 2024, entry runs through self-service turnstiles that accept cash or card — no ticket office needed.