Rozhledna Boubín

The Boubín Lookout Tower is a wooden observation tower crowning the summit of Mount Boubín (1,362 m) in the Šumava mountains, near the village of Buk. Boubín ranks as the fifth-highest peak in the Czech part of Šumava and is best known for the primeval forest reserve that surrounds it – the Boubín Virgin Forest, the most famous old-growth woodland in the Czech Republic.

How do you get to the top?

The most convenient starting point is Kubova Huť, home to the highest-elevation railway station in the country. From there, a blue-marked hiking trail leads roughly 4 km to the summit, reachable on foot after arriving by train or car. The shortest round trip covers about 9.5 km and takes around 3 hours in total – roughly 2 hours climbing and 1 hour back down. The path descends gently from the car park, passes Hotel Kristian, crosses a railway line, then climbs steadily through a pleasant avenue of trees up to the "Pod Basumskou loukou" junction, where it turns into the forest for the final stretch.

What can you see from the tower?

Standing 21 metres tall with 109 steps to the viewing platform, the tower is the second-tallest built lookout tower in the Czech Republic after the one on Praděd, and the highest-situated wooden lookout tower in the country. From the top, views stretch across Šumava, the Central Bohemian Uplands, and the town of Vimperk, with the Alps visible on clear days.

A brief history

The current tower dates from 2004, built on the site of a wooden triangulation point with a viewing platform that had stood there until 1974. Building permit conditions ruled out heavy machinery on site, so around 60 tonnes of construction material had to be carried up the mountain by hand, cable winch, or horse. The tower officially opened to visitors in May 2005.

Before you plan a visit

Since 5 July 2025, the Boubín tower has been closed following a decision by structural engineers who assessed the building's condition. It's worth checking the current status before setting out for the viewing platform specifically, though the summit itself and the approach trails remain open regardless of the tower's status.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the Boubín tower and how many steps does it have? The tower stands 21 metres high, with 109 steps leading up to the viewing platform.

Where's the best place to start the hike to Boubín? Most visitors start from Kubova Huť, from where a roughly 4 km blue trail leads to the summit.

How long does the hike take? The full round trip (about 9.5 km) takes around 3 hours – roughly 2 hours uphill and 1 hour back down.

Is the lookout tower currently open? No – it has been closed since 5 July 2025 due to a structural engineers' decision regarding the building's condition.