Although viewing towers cannot be considered natural creations or monuments, they will surely enable yo to savour nature and its beauties on the way to them. All of the towers in Kysuce open amazing views of the distant mountains, provided that the weather permits.
Viewing Tower in Kamenité (834 m above sea level) is placed on the main ridge of the Javorníky highlands, right on the hiking trail between Dlhá nad Kysucou and Dlhé Pole. Under no visibility limitations, it offers wonderful views of the Beskydy Mountains, Malá Fatra, and the Tatras.
Lookout tower on Marťák hill (854 m above sea level) above the settlement of Petránky in Zákopčie was erected in autumn 2011. It can be accessed from Čadca, Zákopčie and Nesluša. Further information on how to get there with children can be found here.
On the main ridge of the Javorníky highlands, there is a wooden lookout tower built at Luby (between the villages of Vysoká nad Kysucou and Veľké Rovné, approximately 200 m from the hiking trail). The tower built in 2012 and serving as a fire warning tower has already been damaged by weather. It can be accessed from Vysoká nad Kysucou and Veľké Rovné, but the entry is prohibited.
The highest observation tower in the Javorníky highlands is a wooden lookout tower on the hill Stratenec above the village of Makov (1,055 m) built in 2008. Though it belongs to the cadastral area of the village of Papradno, it can be easily accessed from the village of Makov – Kasárne.
The Bobovec observation tower (723 m above sea level) built above the municipality of Stará Bystrica was opened in August 2011 on Bobovec hill. It was designed by the architect Stanislav Mikovčák who accentuated the natural style by using traditional materials - wood and stone. Inside the tower, several works of art by the same author are to be found.
The four-floor observation tower Tábor in Kysucké Nové Mesto was completed in autumn 2015. It offers beautiful views of Steny, Poľana, Ostré, Vreteň, Kysucká Brána, Malá Fatra and part of the Western Tatras. It is accessible from Kysucké Nové Mesto, Ochodnica and Nesluša.
The Cycling Route of Solidarity will take you from the square in Raková to the Tetřev lookout point (CZ) under Veľký Polom on the Slovak-Czech border.
The observation platform on Veľká Rača (1,236 m above sea level) will allow you to enjoy views of the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy, Pilsko, Babia Hora, the hills of Mala Fatra (Veľký Rozsutec) and Roháče. The area of Veľká Rača resort is an ideal place for wandering.
Two new viewing towers have been built in Oščadnica, one of them located at the top of Dedovka can be reached easily by chairlift. In the interior of the tower, there is a display of sculptures made by Stanislav Mikovčák, the author and designer of several lookout towers in Kysuce. Entry to the lookout tower is free and open to the public throughout the year.
The lookout tower below Kalinov hill was built by the village of Oščadnica in cooperation with the Kysuce Organization of Tourism in 2021. The shortest ascent leading to the point starts at the centre of the village near Gájuz Guest House and continues on the yellow marked tourist sign along the educational path to Sedlo Surovina.
One of the newest lookout towers has been erected in the village near Jantov in Krásno nad Kysucou on the hill of Diel (560 m above sea level). The access road is lined with the Calvary - Way of the Cross. More information can be found at this link.
The village of Zborov nad Bystricau can be proud of its lookout tower located on Hladký hill at an altitude of 761 m above sea level. m. It has an observational and fire-warning purpose. The shortest ascent which takes about an hour and follows the green marked tourist path, is possible directly from the village. A longer way from Krásno nad Kysucou along a nice ridge trail will lead you to the viewing tower.
Another fire warning tower was built in Harvelka, Nová Bystrica in 2019. The tower has a beautiful silhouette, but it is prohibited to enter.
The highest lookout tower in Kysuce was opened at the end of 2022 in Nová Bystrica - Vychylovka. It measures 25 meters and is made of galvanized steel.
You are all cordially welcome to the region of settlements and viewing towers. We are looking forward to welcoming you here.
Author: Emília Maloušová
Photos: Emília Maloušová, Richard Kohler, www.snowparadise.sk,www.mojekysuce.sk
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https://www.regionkysuce.sk/en/attractions-of-the-region/natural/303-lookout-towers-at-kysuce#sigProId64c03f0538
