The opening of a new observation tower above Nový Hrádek may be delayed by COVID

Nový Hrádek - The new lookout tower with facilities above Nový Hrádek in the Náchod region, created from the tube of a former wind turbine, is almost finished in terms of construction. The builders still need to lift and install the observation platform and equip the information center. Zdeněk Drašnar, the mayor of the municipality, told ČTK. According to him, the construction should be handed over by October 30 at the latest, after which the approval process will begin. He did not want to anticipate when it would open.

"The opening of the lookout tower depends on the situation regarding the coronavirus, but also on the weather, so it is premature to talk about a specific date at this time. If the situation is favorable, it could happen before the end of the year. However, that remains to be seen. In any case, by next spring, the lookout tower and information center should serve their purpose," said Drašnar.

The lookout tower was built at an altitude of around 600 meters on Mount Šibeník for 13.6 million crowns excluding VAT as part of the Czech-Polish ridge trail project - eastern part. Most of the costs will be covered by a European grant. The lookout tower is the last of four planned along the ridge route in the Czech-Polish border area in the Královéhradecký region. The other three, supported by European funds, were built on Velká Deštná in the Orlické Mountains, near Olešnice in the Orlické Mountains, and in Vysoká Srbská.

The observation platform, made of metal grates, will be 32 meters above the ground. People will access it via a spiral staircase around the tube. Entrance to the lookout tower will also be possible via a bridge from the information center, which was created by converting a former transformer station next to the wind turbine.

"The information center is structurally completed; it only needs to be furnished with furniture and other equipment. The outfitting of the information center should cost around half a million crowns, this amount is not part of the project," Drašnar told ČTK.

The lookout tower was built along the main tourist trail marked in red, the so-called Jirásek Path, which leads from the Náchod region to the Orlické Mountains. Tourists from the lookout tower can see the ridge of the Orlické Mountains, the Krkonoš, and even Kunětická hora near Pardubice. Until now, trees had partially obstructed their view.