Třemšín – a viewpoint hill with castle ruins above Rožmitál pod Třemšínem

Třemšín is the highest hill in the southern part of the Brdy range, rising to 827 metres above sea level southwest of the small town of Rožmitál pod Třemšínem, in the Příbram District of the Czech Republic. Its wooded summit carries the ruins of a medieval castle together with a wooden lookout tower, making Třemšín one of the best-known hiking destinations in the surrounding Třemšínsko area.

Where exactly does Třemšín sit?

The hill forms a long, narrow, north–south ridge and stands as the clear natural landmark of the whole area around it. It is the highest point of the so-called southern Brdy, part of a large, heavily forested upland in central Bohemia. The town of Rožmitál pod Třemšínem lies just below it on the northern side, and it's this hill that gave the town its name.

What castle stood on the summit?

Before a Gothic castle was raised here in the 13th century, the hilltop already carried an older stronghold with stone ramparts, dating from well before medieval times. The castle of Třemšín, also referred to as Voltuš, belonged in the mid-14th century to Beneš of Třemšín, and afterwards to his descendants, who held it until the early 15th century. In 1403, King Wenceslaus IV granted the castle to Jan Zajíc. The fortress did not survive the Hussite Wars: it was captured and burned in 1424 and was never rebuilt afterwards.

What has survived on the site?

Nearly six centuries of decay have left mostly fragments of stone walls and traces of a moat, in places arranged as several parallel defensive lines. Remnants of the older, pre-castle earthworks from the original stronghold are also still visible around the summit. A small chapel was built among the ruins in the 18th century, and the 19th century saw the construction of the first lookout tower on the site — proof that the hill was already drawing visitors long before organised tourism, despite its origins as a defensive stronghold.

What is the lookout tower like today?

The current tower on Třemšín's summit is a wooden structure roughly 11 metres tall, built in the 1970s on the site of earlier, older towers. From its upper platform, visitors get a view over the forested expanse of the Brdy hills and the surrounding Třemšínsko countryside — the main reason many hikers make the climb, even though there is little other tourist infrastructure at the top itself.

What is the hike to the top like?

Třemšín is considered one of the more easily reached of the Brdy peaks above 800 metres. The most scenic approach follows the ridge from the north, where the trail runs through forest along the narrow crest of the hill, opening up views of the surrounding countryside along the way. Thanks to its moderate difficulty and a clear destination — the ruins and tower at the top — it's a popular choice both for a full day's outing and for a shorter walk starting from Rožmitál pod Třemšínem.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Třemšín? The summit reaches 827 metres above sea level, making it the highest point in the southern part of the Brdy range.

Are there castle ruins on top? Yes. What remains of the Gothic castle, burned down in 1424 during the Hussite Wars, are fragments of walls and moat traces, along with earlier earthworks from the stronghold that predated the castle.

Who held the castle of Třemšín in the Middle Ages? In the 14th century it belonged to Beneš of Třemšín and his descendants; in 1403, King Wenceslaus IV granted it to Jan Zajíc.

Is there a lookout tower on the summit? Yes, a wooden lookout tower from the 1970s stands there, about 11 metres tall, built on the site of earlier 19th-century towers.

Where's the best place to start the hike? Most hikers set out from Rožmitál pod Třemšínem, and the most scenic route to the top follows the ridge approaching from the north.