Rozhledna Vysoký Kamýk

Vysoký Kamýk Lookout Tower (Rozhledna Vysoký Kamýk) stands on the summit of the same name, at 627 metres above sea level, within the cadastral territory of the village of Všeteč, part of the Všemyslice municipality in the České Budějovice district, South Bohemian Region. The tower sits inside the Velký a Malý Kamýk nature reserve, in the Písecké hory (Písek Mountains) range, making it one of the more interesting viewpoints in this corner of South Bohemia.

How do you get to the tower?

The simplest approach starts in the village of Všeteč, where a green-marked hiking trail begins at the edge of the forest and leads directly to the base of the tower. The area is a popular destination for hikers and cyclists from the nearby Týn nad Vltavou and České Budějovice regions, and the walk itself requires no special fitness preparation.

What is the history behind the tower?

The site's history goes back to 1931, when a five-storey wooden survey tower was erected here — it eventually fell into disrepair. In 1941 it was replaced by a new brick structure: a 16-metre, seven-sided (heptagonal) measuring tower. That brick core survived for decades and later became the foundation of today's lookout: in 2011 the tower underwent a major reconstruction, during which the original brick shaft was encased in a new steel lattice structure while preserving its original heptagonal footprint. The rebuild also served a telecommunications purpose — the tower still functions as a transmitter for T-Mobile Czech Republic. It reopened to visitors on 1 May 2012.

What can you see from the viewing platform?

The current structure rises 33 metres as a tower, or 46 metres in total height above the surrounding terrain when measured from the base of the hill. The observation platform sits at 32.85 metres. Reaching it means climbing 6 concrete entrance steps followed by 160 metal grating steps inside the steel framework. The effort is rewarded with a wide panorama: from the platform you can pick out the peaks of Šumava (the Bohemian Forest), the Novohradské hory (Novohradské Mountains), the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, the so-called Bohemian Siberia, the Central Bohemian Uplands, and, on clear days, the Brdy and Hřebeny ranges.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the tower stands inside a protected nature reserve (Velký a Malý Kamýk), timing your visit around the season pays off — autumn and spring often bring the clearest views thanks to lower air humidity, while the surrounding forest is scenic year-round. Summer sees more foot and bike traffic, driven by cycling tourism popular in the Týn nad Vltavou area.

Frequently asked questions

How many steps does it take to reach the top? 166 steps in total — 6 concrete steps at the entrance plus 160 metal grating steps leading up to the viewing platform.

How high is the viewing platform? The platform sits 32.85 metres above ground, with the tower's total height reaching 46 metres.

Does the tower serve any purpose beyond tourism? Yes — since the 2011 reconstruction it has also operated as a telecommunications transmitter for T-Mobile Czech Republic.

What's the easiest way to walk there? The shortest route follows a green-marked hiking trail that starts at the forest edge near the village of Všeteč.