Varta observation tower

Varta Observation Tower rises above the village of Sendraž in the Náchod district of the Hradec Králové Region in eastern Czechia. It stands on the hill known as Na vartě, at an elevation of 618 metres, less than a kilometre north of the village centre, and ranks among the most visited lookout points in the Kladské pomezí (Glacensis) border region.

How do you get there?

A blue-marked hiking trail connects the tower with the hamlet of Pekla, passing through Sendraž along the way. Drivers can leave their car near the municipal office in Sendraž, from which about 800 metres remain on foot along the blue trail, with roughly 70 metres of elevation gain. The walk is easy and typically takes only fifteen to twenty minutes at a relaxed pace, making it a suitable outing for families with children.

What is the history behind the tower?

A wooden lookout tower already stood on the Na vartě hill at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, but it was torn down in the 1950s after falling into disrepair. The site then stood empty for decades until 2007, when the mobile operator Vodafone built a new steel structure here, originally as a telecommunications mast. Since 2009 the tower has been open to visitors, who can climb to the viewing platform free of charge.

What can you see from the viewing platform?

The whole structure is 50 metres tall, with the public viewing platform positioned at a height of 23.8 metres. It is reached by 145 spiral steps winding around the mast's shaft. The platform offers a full circular panorama of the surrounding mountain ranges: on clear days visitors can pick out the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), the Jestřebí Hills, the Bystrzyckie Mountains across the border in Poland, and the Orlické hory (Eagle Mountains). Closer at hand, the view takes in the town of Nové Město nad Metují, the Rozkoš reservoir, and the Dobrošov fortress, part of the interwar Czechoslovak border fortification system from the 1930s.

Is climbing the tower safe, and who is it suitable for?

Access to the platform is free and open to the public, but visitors climb at their own risk. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. The tower is sometimes closed in winter and during strong wind or thunderstorms, so it is worth checking conditions before setting out, especially in autumn and spring when weather in this part of Czechia can change quickly.

Who should visit?

Varta Observation Tower suits hikers and panorama lovers looking for a short, rewarding walk rather than a demanding trek, capped off with a wide-reaching view. It pairs naturally with a visit to the nearby Dobrošov fortress or the Rozkoš reservoir, allowing visitors to plan a full day of sightseeing in the Kladské pomezí region.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for the Varta tower? No, access to the viewing platform is free, though visitors enter at their own risk.

How many steps lead to the top? The viewing platform, at a height of 23.8 metres, is reached via 145 spiral steps.

What can you see from the tower on a clear day? The Krkonoše, Jestřebí Hills, Bystrzyckie Mountains, and Orlické hory, as well as Nové Město nad Metují, the Rozkoš reservoir, and the Dobrošov fortress.

Is the tower open all year round? Not always — it can be closed in winter and during strong wind or thunderstorms, so it is best to check conditions before visiting.