Poledník

Poledník is a summit in the municipality of Prášily and one of the defining viewpoints of the Czech side of the Šumava mountains. It rises to 1,315 metres above sea level, making it the fifteenth-highest peak in the Czech part of Šumava, and sits on the Kvilda Plains roughly 4.5 km south of Prášily.

What's on the summit?

The peak carries a 37-metre lookout tower reached by 227 steps. It isn't a purpose-built tourist structure — the tower is a converted Cold War military facility, codenamed TOPAS, that operated as a radio surveillance station in the 1960s and 1970s, monitoring communications deep inside what was then West Germany. After the Velvet Revolution and the army's withdrawal, the Šumava National Park Administration rebuilt the structure into a public lookout, opened to visitors in 1998 following a dispute with the Czech Tourist Club over how public access should be handled.

The platform gives a full circular panorama of Šumava and the Bavarian Forest, dominated by the peaks of Velký and Malý Roklan. On clear days the view extends to the Alps, over 180 km away. The mountain's slopes are notable in their own right — glacial activity carved the steep eastern flank into the cirque holding Prášilské Lake and the dry cirque of Stará jímka.

How do you get there?

The village of Prášily is the usual starting point, with the trail heading south through Šumava National Park. A popular route passes Prášilské Lake, one of Šumava's seven glacial lakes, letting hikers combine the summit climb with a stop at the lake itself. The ascent takes some stamina but is not technically demanding — a standard mountain trail suited to hikers of average fitness.

When should you visit?

The lookout tower operates seasonally, generally from May to October, because of the harsh winter conditions on the exposed summit. Aim for a clear day if the Alpine panorama is the goal — visibility that far only happens under good weather. In summer, an early start helps beat the crowds that gather on the platform later in the day.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Poledník? The peak reaches 1,315 metres above sea level, ranking fifteenth among the highest summits on the Czech side of Šumava.

Is the lookout tower open all year? No. Because of harsh winter weather at the summit, the tower is only accessible during the summer season, typically from May to October.

Where's the best place to start the hike? Most visitors start from the village of Prášily, following the trail south, often stopping at Prášilské Lake along the way.

What can you see from the tower on a clear day? A full circular view of Šumava and the Bavarian Forest, dominated by the Velký and Malý Roklan peaks, and on exceptionally clear days the Alps, more than 180 km away.