Kleť

Kleť (1083.2 meters above sea level) – the highest point of Blanský Les with the most beautiful lookout in south Bohemia. It is visible from afar as a sweeping ridge with the characteristic outline of the famous lookout tower and television mast. Thousands of hikers visit it every year. It has given its name to the whole tourist destination area of PodKletí. The summit, featuring the oldest stone lookout tower in Bohemia (built in 1825) can be reached by bicycle, on foot or up a chairlift from Krásetín. During favorable weather conditions, the lookout tower commands splendid views of a large part of south Bohemia and sometimes even the snow-capped peaks of the Austrian Alps. The Blanský Les Nature Reserve is crossed by a nature trail through the forest and rock outcrops around the mountain summit (5 km). The mountain chalet with hot meals and a pleasant seating area right by the lookout tower offers hostel-type accommodation. Adrenaline enthusiasts will enjoy the downhill run on a kick scooter using one of the three routes with a vertical drop of up to 630 meters (to Český Krumlov, Zlatá Koruna or the chairlift parking lot in Krásetín). In summer, the observatory is open to the public, featuring the largest lens telescope in the Czech Republic. Weather permitting, the guided tour includes a projection of sunspots.

The hike to Kleť is very popular among the people of České Budějovice. You could say it is a kind of local tradition for a certain group of people. They take an early-morning “jog” up under the chairlift, refresh themselves on the summit and head back down. An alternative option is doing the climbing section by chairlift.

Kleť can be reached by car, with a parking lot right by the chairlift terminal, or take a train to one of the nearby stops: Holubov, Třísov or Plešovice.