Císařův kámen

Císařův kámen (also known as Císařský kámen) is a modest 637-metre summit on the Černostudniční ridge in the Jizera Mountains, right above Liberec, Czech Republic. Its steel lookout tower has turned an otherwise unremarkable hilltop into one of the more popular short outings from the city.

Where does the name come from?

The hill used to be called Špičák. It only became "the Emperor's Stone" after Emperor Joseph II passed through during a military inspection tour of the region and recognized how strategically useful the spot was. A stone memorial at the foot of the tower still marks the event, and it's this stone that gave the peak its current name — a rare case of a hilltop near Liberec with such a clearly documented backstory.

What is there to see?

The current tower stands about 21 metres tall, with 112 steps leading up to the viewing platform. It isn't the first structure here — a wooden tower went up in 2009, but was later dismantled in 2018 once its condition deteriorated beyond repair. The steel replacement is sturdier, open year-round, and free to climb.

From the top, the view stretches over the Liberec basin and the rolling ridges of the Jizera Mountains; on clear days you can also pick out the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj), and the Ještěd ridge with its distinctive transmitter tower. That panorama, more than the summit itself, is what keeps drawing locals and visitors back.

How do you get there?

Císařův kámen sits on the Černostudniční ridge, one of the hills framing Liberec to the south, and it's linked into the network of trails that fan out from the city. That makes it an easy half-day trip on foot, or by bike for those who prefer to cover more ground. There's no entrance fee and no fixed opening hours — the platform is accessible every day of the year, with no booking required.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the tower is open year-round, timing mostly comes down to what kind of view you're after. Summer greenery around the summit is at its most photogenic, though haze over the Liberec basin can shorten the visible distance. Autumn and winter days with clear skies tend to offer the longest sightlines, sometimes reaching as far as the Krkonoše. Whatever the season, the platform is exposed, so a windproof layer is worth packing.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the Císařův kámen tower? No, access is free and the tower is open all year round.

How tall is the lookout tower? The current steel structure is about 21 metres high, reached by 112 steps.

Why is the peak called Císařův kámen? It's named after Emperor Joseph II, who recognized the site's strategic value during a military inspection; the hill was previously known as Špičák.

What can you see from the top? On a clear day, the platform offers views over the Liberec basin, the Jizera Mountains, the Ještěd ridge, and further afield the Krkonoše and Český ráj.