Ještěd

Ještěd is the highest peak of the Ještěd-Kozákov Ridge in northern Czechia, rising to 1,012 m right above the city of Liberec – and its unmistakable symbol, visible from nearly every corner of town.

What will you see at the summit?

The mountain's skyline has been defined for decades by Ještěd Tower, a single hyperboloid structure that combines a television transmitter, a hotel and a restaurant. It was designed by architect Karel Hubáček and built between 1966 and 1973. The design was praised for how naturally it extends the shape of the hill while withstanding the harsh weather at the summit, and it earned the Perret Prize, an award given by the International Union of Architects. Long before the tower existed, a mountain hotel already stood on the summit from 1906, marking the site's role as a destination well before the futuristic structure took over.

How do you get to Ještěd?

The classic cable car from Horní Hanychov, opened in 1933, has been out of service since a 2021 accident while a full reconstruction is underway; the new cabin is not expected to start running before 2029. Until then, visitors can reach the summit on the seasonal Skalka chairlift, which runs daily in summer and on weekends in autumn, or by tourist bus. Hiking along the ridge trails remains a popular option too, for a slower approach on foot.

When is the best time to visit?

In summer the peak draws visitors with views over Liberec, the Jizera Mountains and the surrounding ridges, and the Skalka chairlift runs every day, making access easier. In autumn, service drops to weekends only, so it pays to plan ahead. In winter, Ještěd turns into a small ski area centered on Skalka, popular with locals from Liberec and the wider region. Whatever the season, the tower's silhouette against the sky remains one of the most recognizable landscapes in northern Czechia.

Frequently asked questions

Can you still ride the cable car up Ještěd? No – the classic cable car from Horní Hanychov has been closed since a 2021 accident and is being rebuilt; it is not expected to reopen before 2029 at the earliest.

What is the tower at the top? A single building combining a television transmitter, a hotel and a restaurant, designed by Karel Hubáček and built between 1966 and 1973 in a distinctive hyperboloid shape, for which it won the Perret Prize.

How else can you reach the summit without the cable car? Via the seasonal Skalka chairlift, by tourist bus, or on foot along the trails running the length of the Ještěd-Kozákov ridge.

Why is Ještěd the symbol of Liberec? Because it's the highest point of the ridge towering directly over the city, visible from almost anywhere in it, and the tower's striking silhouette has become a defining image of the whole region.