Lookout towers Střední Čechy

Are visitors planning a hiking trip along the Vltava River and would they like to view it from a bird's-eye perspective? In that case, visitors are gladly invited to the Máj viewpoint in Krňany-Netvořice, which is located in romantic nature above the former Svatojánské proudy. This part of the river was quite demanding for timber raftsmen who floated wood to Prague. However, tourists with good physical fitness do not need to mind the local terrain here. All the more so since the construction of the Štěchovice dam brought an end to the existence of these rapids. In the event that visitors decide to visit the Máj viewpoint, it is sufficient to follow the yellow tourist markings leading from the village of Teletín.

The viewpoint is very popular among travelers because it is said to provide the nicest view of the river. Therefore, it is not by chance that photographers who want to capture the local scenery in their nature photographs appear here quite frequently.

In the event that visitors decide to seek accommodation near the Máj viewpoint in local guesthouses, apartments, or one of the surrounding farms, other trips in the neighborhood should also be planned. Wandering along the Svatojánské proudy educational trail will be a good choice. Moreover, the Myšák and Mařenka viewpoints are also located in the immediate vicinity of Máj. Therefore, visitors should carefully consider whether they will also want to view the Vltava River from other angles.

Stone tower with a view of the Middle Vltava region

Rozhledna Na Mackově Hoře stands on the hill of the same name (479 metres) near the municipality of Vysoký Chlumec, not far from Orlík in the Central Bohemian Region. This thirty-six-metre-high stone lookout tower was built in 2004 in a historicising style. One hundred and eighty-one steps lead to its viewing platform. The lookout tower offers a circular view of the extensive Střední Povltaví, the Vodní nádrž Orlík reservoir, and, in good visibility, the prominent landmarks of the Brdská vrchovina highlands and the Českomoravská vrchovina highlands.

Access

An asphalt road leads to the lookout tower from the municipality of Vysoký Chlumec. A free car park with sufficient capacity is available for motorists directly below the lookout tower. From there, the entrance is just a few dozen metres away. For hikers, a red tourist trail from the municipality of Svatý Jan, which forms part of an educational trail, leads to the lookout tower. The nearest bus stop, Hrachov, is located about two and a half kilometres away.

What is worth discovering

The immediate surroundings are dominated by the medieval Hrad a Zámek Vysoký Chlumec, which is privately owned. Less than ten kilometres to the south-west lies Zámek Orlík and the extensive Vodní nádrž Orlík reservoir. It is also worthwhile to visit the technical monument of the Žďákovský most bridge and the nearby Hrad Zvíkov at the confluence of the Vltava and Otava rivers.