A trip to the Klostermann Lookout Tower on Mount Javorník

A hike via Královský Kámen to the Javorník Lookout Tower

Starting point

A small free parking lot near the church in the village of Nicov.
 

Description of the hike

We left the car at a small church in the village of Nicov. The church is notable for being the highest-elevation Romanesque monument in Bohemia. From the parking lot, we set off for Vysoký kámen along the blue hiking trail. Just beyond the village, the path begins to climb gently through the meadows. The climb continues into the forest, where we followed a wide forest path. We walked along it all the way to the summit of Královský kámen. There is a rock at its highest point, but the view from it is limited by the tall trees in the area. There are also a few benches, so we took a short break.

We continued along the blue trail. The path first drops steeply for a short distance and then descends gradually through the forest. During the descent, the observation tower on the opposite Javorník Mountain is clearly visible. The wide path from the saddle between the mountains begins to climb again. Once again, the ascent is fairly gentle, with no steep climbs. Finally, we reached the summit of Javorník, where the Klostermann Lookout Tower stands. The view from the tower is spectacular; you can see a large part of the Šumava Mountains and their foothills. We stayed at the lookout tower for a while, as there’s a snack bar there, so we treated ourselves to some good food and drinks.

We headed back along the blue trail again. Following it, we descended to the Javorník signpost. Here we left the marked trail and, following a wide path, descended first through the forest, then across a meadow to the red hiking trail. This trail leads first through meadows, offering beautiful views toward Boubín. We then continued along a wide path back through the Nicov Forest. There is also an opportunity to refill your water at a spring here. Finally, we returned to the village of Nicov along this path.
 

Difficulty

An easy hike along wide forest roads and trails. The ascents and descents along the route are fairly gentle. An ideal outing for families with children or dogs. Strollers cannot navigate the route; there are tree roots along the way, and the trail near the summit of Vysoký Kámen is rocky.
 

Water availability

Refreshments are available right at the Javorník observation tower. They serve beer and soft drinks there. There is also a spring on the way back to the village of Nicov.
 

Mountain peaks

The trail passes through the peaks of Královský kámen (1,058 m) and Javorník (1,066 m). The observation tower at the summit of Javorník offers panoramic views of a large part of the Šumava Mountains.
 

Danger

The trail has no difficult sections. The path around the Královský kámen peak is a bit rockier. Here, especially when it’s wet, you should be careful not to slip. Otherwise, the trail is easy.
 

Food

Refreshments are available right at the Javorník observation tower. They serve cookies and hot dogs there. There’s a pub in the village of Nicov.
 

Attractions

The observation tower on Javorník was built in 1938. Its construction was the brainchild of Karel Klostermann himself, who loved this mountain and the views from it. At his initiative, in cooperation with the Czech Tourist Club and with significant support from the landowners—the Schwarzenberg family—construction of the tower began. Construction took only two months, and the tower was officially opened on August 28, 1938. After the annexation of the Sudetenland during World War II, Javorník became the highest mountain in Bohemia. It also served as an air observation post. Starting in the 1970s, the lookout tower began to be obscured by the surrounding mature trees. Therefore, it was decided to renovate it. The renovation was completed in 2003, during which the tower was raised, and it now offers a beautiful panoramic view.