Kleť Mountain
South Bohemian hill with observatory and lookout tower
Above the South Bohemian countryside, Kleť features a 19th-century stone lookout tower, an observatory and chairlift access. Hikers and amateur astronomers use trails and the mountain roads year-round.
Kleť at a Glance#
Address: Kleť, near Český Krumlov, South Bohemian Region, Czech Republic
Hours: Chairlift seasonal (spring-autumn); tower and observatory hours vary
Admission: Chairlift fee applies (seasonal) to reach summit; observatory/museum admission may have a small charge
About Kleť#
Kleť is the highest mountain of the Blanský les range in South Bohemia, Czech Republic, and is a local centre for recreation and astronomy. It combines upland terrain with built visitor features near the summit.
Visitors find a stone lookout tower and an astronomical observatory on or close to the summit, offering panoramic views and night-sky observation programs; the observatory has been involved in minor-planet observations. A chairlift and marked trails provide access from nearby villages.
The mountain has long served local leisure and scientific interests, with the lookout tower dating to the 19th century and the observatory established in the 20th century to support astronomical research. The summit area has been maintained for both tourism and scientific use.
Kleť lies in the South Bohemian Region north of the historic town of Český Krumlov and is accessible by road and trail from nearby communities.
- Summit facilities: The summit area is the highest point of the Blanský les range and combines natural moorland with developed visitor facilities including an observatory and viewpoints.
What to See#
- Kleť Observatory: An astronomical observatory operated on the mountain that has been active in minor-planet observations and small-object astronomy.
- Stone lookout tower: A 19th-century stone lookout tower near the summit provides views across South Bohemia and is a local historic feature visitors can climb.
How to Get to Kleť#
Kleť is about 8-10 km south of Český Krumlov. Drive or take local buses to the mountain area; the chairlift station is accessible from the lower parking area. Paths to the summit start from nearby hamlets and the chairlift base.
Tips for Visiting Kleť#
- Take the Kleť chairlift for the relaxed climb and for views along the way; it's one of the oldest in the Czech Republic (opened 1961).
- Visit the Kleť Observatory (one of the country's mountain observatories) on clear evenings if public observing sessions are scheduled.
- The summit tower (19th‑century Romantic lookout) has steps-climb for a panorama of the Bohemian countryside.
Best Time to Visit Kleť#
Late spring to early autumn for chairlift service and full trail access; winter appeals to experienced walkers.
Weather & Climate near Kleť#
Kleť's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1051 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -6° - 1° | -8° | 79 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| February | Poor | -6° - 2° | -7° | 67 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| March | Poor | -3° - 5° | -3° | 78 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.7 m/s | 0.5 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 0° - 9° | 2° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 15° | 8° | 87 mm | overcast | 74% | 3.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.0h |
| June | Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 115 mm | overcast | 71% | 3.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.8h |
| July | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 130 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 3.0 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.5h |
| August | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 2.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.1h |
| September | Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 4° | 67 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -2° - 4° | -3° | 78 mm | overcast | 90% | 3.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| December | Poor | -5° - 1° | -7° | 94 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
