Kleť is the highest peak of the Blanský Forest, a rounded green mountain that rises about nine kilometres north of Český Krumlov, and it is the town's favourite half-day escape into the hills. At 1,084 metres it is high enough to be cool when the town is hot and snowy when the valley is wet. On the summit stands Josef's Tower, named after Josef Schwarzenberg, who had it built; the Czech tourism pages call it the country's oldest viewing tower, and a regional tourism source dates the stone tower to 1825. The summit also has a television transmitter, an observatory and a mountain refuge, so it feels like a small hilltop village rather than a bare peak. On clear days, visitors can see a large part of the Šumava and some peaks in the Alps.
Getting up is half the fun. The regional tourism board says the peak of Kleť is easily accessible with the chairlift from Krásetín, a village on the mountain's slope that is reached by road from Český Krumlov in a short drive. Hikers can walk up instead, on marked trails through spruce and beech forest that take a few hours from the valley, and some routes continue over the summit to the Zlatá Koruna monastery on the river.
Scooter rentals, which require a prior reservation, let adventurous visitors ride down from the summit towards Český Krumlov, and they are advertised as available year round. The chairlift and the tower have their own seasons and hours, so check before you set out.
What you do at the top is simple: climb the tower for the panorama, walk the paths around the summit, visit the observatory area if it is open, and stop at the mountain refuge for something warm. The views over the forested ridges are the point, and the sense of being far from the castle crowds.
The weather can differ sharply from the valley: it is often several degrees colder, windy and misty, so bring a jacket and sturdy shoes even in summer. In winter the upper slopes can be icy, and the chairlift may not run, so confirm operations and conditions before travelling.
Planning
Allow a half day from Český Krumlov, more if you walk. Without a car, ask the tourist information centre about buses and taxis to Krásetín, and agree a return time if you take a taxi. Pack water, snacks and a layer, and keep an eye on the clock because the last chairlift down is firm. Kleť pairs well with a quiet day in town: do the mountain in the morning when the air is clearest, then return for a late lunch and an evening beer.
Families with older children will enjoy the tower and the scooters, but very small children may find the climb tiring, and the tower is not suitable for those who dislike heights or steep stairs.
Nature is a bonus on the way. The forest around the lower slopes is home to deer, birds and wild flowers in season, and quiet paths let you stretch your legs away from other visitors. In autumn the beech woods turn gold, which makes a September or October outing particularly pretty, while spring brings fresh green and meltwater streams. Whatever the season, carry a map or a downloaded route, as signal can be patchy on the forest sections.
What to expect
The experience
A mountain summit with a stone lookout tower, an observatory and a refuge, reached by chairlift from Krásetín or on foot along marked trails.
Best time
A clear morning from late spring to early autumn, when the Alpine views are most likely.
How long
Half a day including the ride up, the tower and a stop at the refuge.
Tips
Check chairlift and tower hours first, dress for a cooler summit and agree a return plan if you rely on a taxi.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Hikers and view seekers who want more than the Old Town.
- Families
- Good for children who like towers and scooters; skip the climb with toddlers.
- Couples
- A quiet summit morning, then a relaxed lunch back in town.
- Pair with
- A hike down towards Zlatá Koruna, or a beer tour in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
How high is Kleť?+
The summit is 1,084 metres above sea level, the highest point of the Blanský Forest.
How do I get to the top?+
By the chairlift from Krásetín, which the regional tourism board describes as the easy way, or on foot along marked trails through the forest.
How far is it from Český Krumlov?+
About nine kilometres to the north, a short drive to the lift station.
What can you see from the tower?+
On clear days, a large part of the Šumava and some peaks of the Alps. Mist and cloud can hide it, so choose a clear morning.
Can I ride a scooter down?+
Yes, scooter rentals with a prior reservation are advertised as available year round, and rides finish towards Český Krumlov.
