Zelená hora

Zelená hora is a forested hill right outside Cheb, one of the most visited viewpoints in the western part of the Karlovy Vary Region.

Where is Zelená hora?

The hill sits in the Smrčiny range (known as the Fichtelgebirge on the German side of the border), roughly 4–4.5 km west of central Cheb, in the Cheb district. Its summit reaches 641 metres above sea level. The area lies right next to the Bavarian border, near the Skalka reservoir, on the right bank of the Ohře River. The hill's older German name was Annenberg.

What will you find at the top?

Two structures on the summit stand out from a distance. The first is a stone observation tower known as the Bismarck Lookout Tower — a solid, eighteen-metre structure reached via a 72-step climb to the viewing platform. A wooden tower originally stood on the same spot between 1891 and 1909, before being replaced by the current stone tower in 1909. After years of neglect, the tower was restored and reopened to visitors in 2005. Admission is free, and the tower operates seasonally, from April to October, daily between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The second landmark on the summit is a television transmission tower, built between 1966 and 1973 to improve TV reception in and around Cheb. It sits in visible contrast to the historic stone tower, but it has become just as permanent a part of the hill's skyline.

What's the view like from the tower?

The viewing platform of the Bismarck Lookout Tower opens up a wide panorama of the region. From here you can see Cheb and its surroundings, the spa town of Františkovy Lázně, the Krušné hory (Ore Mountains), the neighbouring Smrčiny ridges, the Slavkovský les forest, and on clear days even the Český les range and a stretch of the Šumava mountains further south. That sweeping, multi-range view — unusual for a hill of such modest height — is the main reason the tower keeps drawing visitors.

How do you get to Zelená hora?

The hill is a popular short-trip destination for walkers and cyclists setting out from Cheb. Marked trails lead up to it both from the city and from the Skalka reservoir, and the route typically covers just a few kilometres without requiring much physical preparation — it makes for an easy half-day outing. A signposted trail junction named "Zelená hora" marks the spot on the summit, making orientation straightforward.

When is the best time to visit?

The tower itself can only be climbed during its open season, from April to October. The best visibility comes on clear days, especially after rain, when the air is at its cleanest — those are the conditions that give you the best chance of spotting distant ranges like the Šumava. Outside the season the tower is typically closed, but the hill and its trails remain accessible year-round.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Zelená hora? The summit reaches 641 metres above sea level.

Is there an entrance fee for the tower? No, admission to the Bismarck Lookout Tower is free.

How far is Zelená hora from Cheb? The hill lies about 4–4.5 km west of the city centre.

Is the tower open all year round? No — it operates seasonally, from April to October, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.