lookout Bolfánek, West Bohemia Travel Guide

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Climb the historic Bolfánek Lookout Tower for panoramic views of the Šumava region and a glimpse into Czech history and religious legend.

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lookout Bolfánek

Bolfánek Lookout Tower, near Chudenice, offers panoramic views from the remains of a Baroque pilgrimage church. Climb the 138 steps for vistas stretching across the Šumava panorama and discover the legends of Bishop Wolfgang.

A brief summary to lookout Bolfánek

Kvapilova 67, Chudenice-Klatovy 1, 339 01, CZ
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Tuesday 10 am-6 pm
Wednesday 10 am-6 pm
Thursday 10 am-6 pm
Friday 10 am-6 pm
Saturday 10 am-6 pm
Sunday 10 am-6 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring lookout Bolfánek.

Check the opening hours before you go, as they may vary depending on the season.
Wear comfortable shoes for the climb up the 138 steps to the top of the tower.
Bring a camera to capture the panoramic views of the Šumava Mountains and surrounding landscape.

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Getting There

Walking

From the center of Chudenice, follow the marked trails towards Žďár hill. The walk to Bolfánek is approximately 1.5 km and takes you through a forest. The path is moderately challenging, with some uphill sections. Look for signs indicating 'Rozhledna Bolfánek'. There are no costs involved in walking to the tower.
Driving

From Klatovy, take Route 22 towards Chudenice. Once in Chudenice, follow local road signs to Bolfánek. Limited parking is available near the base of Žďár hill. From the parking area, it's a short walk to the tower. Parking is free. Be aware that the road leading to the parking area is narrow and may be challenging for larger vehicles.

Discover more about lookout Bolfánek

Perched atop Žďár hill, the Bolfánek Lookout Tower offers stunning views and a glimpse into local history. The tower stands at 583 meters above sea level, on the site of what was once the Church of St. Wolfgang. The name 'Bolfánek' itself is a Czech diminutive of Wolfgang.Legend says that Bishop Wolfgang of Regensburg stopped here in 973 AD while returning from Prague, blessing the land. A chapel was built to commemorate his visit, and later, between 1722 and 1725, a Baroque pilgrimage church was erected. This church, designed by architect Maxmilián Kaňka, fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished in 1810 after Emperor Joseph II's religious reforms.In 1845, the remaining tower was raised to 45 meters and transformed into a lookout tower. The tower's design was inspired by the Black Tower in Klatovy. Today, after climbing 138 steps, visitors are rewarded with views of the Šumava Mountains and the surrounding countryside. You can also see the Gabreta hills and the city of Pilsen. The site includes fortifications and a chapel built in recent years.