On the Pastevní vrch hill above the village of Růžová stands one of the most unusual lookout towers in the Czech Republic - the concrete Růženka, just 6 metres tall, yet offering a stunning 360-degree panorama. It's no surprise that in 2018 it won the title of Lookout Tower of the Year.

The hill, standing at 402 m above sea level, lies on the edge of Bohemian Switzerland, just 2 km from the Růžovský vrch nature reserve. A windmill once stood here, followed later by a popular restaurant with a viewing terrace, which burned down in 1932. Today the site is a peaceful spot for a rest, with views stretching over the Saxon table mountains, sandstone cliffs and the hills of the Central Bohemian Uplands. In spring and summer the surrounding meadows invite picnics, while in autumn and winter the panorama becomes especially crisp and clear.

How to get there

• From the centre of Růžová - footpath, approx. 30-40 minutes, easy difficulty
• From the Růžovský vrch nature reserve - connecting trail between the two hills, moderate difficulty

Practical information

• Tower opened on 21 April 2018
• Height of the structure: 6 metres
• Architectural design: Mjölk studio from Liberec
• Names of the donors who funded the construction are displayed on the interior walls

From the tower you can see the Saxon table mountains (Lilienstein, Pfaffenstein), Pravčická brána, Ještěd, Milešovka and Děčínský Sněžník - few structures this short manage to offer such a wide-reaching view.