Slavětínská rozhledna

Slavětínská rozhledna is a wood-and-steel lookout tower standing on a ridge of the Jestřebí Mountains, in the forest of the Slavětín cadastral area right next to Radvanice, on the borders of the Velké Svatoňovice, Radvanice and Trutnov municipalities in the Trutnov district of eastern Czechia. It sits at roughly 708 metres above sea level, close to the village of Markoušovice, which is why locals sometimes call it the Markoušovice lookout tower.

How do you get there?

The starting point is a car park, from which a marked green tourist trail leads roughly half a kilometre through the forest up to the tower. The path is short enough to make the tower a good target for an afternoon walk rather than a full day's hike, though sturdy shoes are recommended since the forest floor can get slippery after rain.

How is the tower built?

The structure is built around a central steel column with a spiral steel staircase running up the middle. Four wooden corner posts, made of larch timber, surround the column and are tied to steel anchoring elements resting on four reinforced-concrete foundation pillars. The finished tower reaches 22 metres and has four levels — a construction style typical of modern Czech lookout towers, pairing the strength of steel with the natural look of timber.

What can you see from the top?

The upper platform opens onto a panorama of the Jestřebí Mountains and the neighbouring ranges on the border between the Kladsko (Kłodzko) basin and the Broumov region. On a clear day, visitors can pick out the forested ridges around Radvanice and Velké Svatoňovice, as well as more distant stretches of the foothills toward Trutnov. The spot appeals equally to hikers and cyclists looking for a scenic stop along their route.

When is the best time to visit?

The tower is open year-round and free to enter — there is no ticket office and no fixed opening hours, which sets it apart from many other lookout towers in the region. Spring and autumn tend to offer the clearest air and the longest views. In summer, the surrounding trees are in full leaf, which can partly block the view from the lower levels, so it is worth climbing straight to the top platform.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, Slavětínská rozhledna is freely accessible and free of charge all year round.

How far is the walk from the car park? About 500 metres along a marked green trail through the forest.

How tall is the tower? It stands 22 metres high and has four levels.

Can you drive close to the tower? Yes, there is a car park nearby, from which the rest of the way is on foot.

Where exactly is the tower located? On a ridge of the Jestřebí Mountains, in the Slavětín cadastral area, about one kilometre north of the village of Markoušovice, where the Radvanice, Velké Svatoňovice and Trutnov municipalities meet.