Three lookout towers near Žilina that I visited and liked

Of all the lookout towers around Žilina, I’d recommend Svederník, Divinka and Dubeň. Dubeň is the easiest to get to, with a gentle walk up, a nice new tower and a view over Žilina. While you’re in the area, I’d combine the trip with a visit to Žilina itself and its catacombs.

There are plenty of lookout towers around Žilina, but which ones are really worth a visit? I suspect the people of Žilina love a good view, and lookout towers in particular: there’s one on almost every hill. Don’t believe me? Come with me on the hunt for the three finest lookout towers near Žilina. You’ll see a bit more of Slovakia along the way.

Tip from Milan I’d recommend booking your accommodation as early as you can, because rooms in a good location at a fair price go first. Here you’ll find accommodation offers in the area valid today.

Lookout towers near Žilina: Milan Bez Mapy’s picks

• 3 TIPS: While you’re near Žilina, I’d visit the city itself too, along with its catacombs under Mariánske Square (Mariánske námestie). They open to the public only occasionally. All my tips are in my article on what to see in Žilina. For your itinerary, I’d also add Bytča, or the lovely Eastern Moravia region in the Czech Republic.

Svederník lookout tower

The Svederník lookout tower is in the village of Svederník in the Žilina region, and it’s popular with nature lovers and hikers. It has lovely views of the surrounding hills and valleys, including the Javorníky range and the Beskids. It’s a cross-shaped wooden structure, and an easy hiking trail leads up to it. When I climbed it, though, the trail was extremely neglected, and clearly nobody had walked it for quite a while. The path runs through the woods.

From the top you can see the Javorníky, Malá Fatra and the Beskids. The tower is open all year, and the trip is short and easy, so it’s ideal for less experienced hikers too. There are no snack bars or restaurants up there, so bring whatever you’ll need in the woods (and, naturally, take it all home again). Here’s how I rated the Svederník lookout tower:

Access: 1/3 (uncut grass, a poorly marked path in the woods)
Hike difficulty: 2/3 (a fair amount of climbing)
View: 2/3 (nice, but other towers have better ones)
Condition of the tower: 3/3 (nice, new, well kept)

Where to park for the Svederník lookout tower

The official car park for the Svederník lookout tower is in front of the cultural centre (kultúrny dom) in Svederník, and it’s free. From there, follow the yellow arrows, which show you the way very clearly. I found the way first time.

Divinka lookout tower

The Divinka lookout tower stands above the village of Divinka. Its panoramic view of the surrounding countryside is genuinely beautiful. It’s a great short outing for walkers of all ages.

It’s a wooden tower on top of a hill above the village, built with European Union funds. The climb is fairly easy and fine for families with children. I found a very steep shortcut, though, and made it up from the car park in 10 minutes.

The trail runs through woods and along a field track, which makes the trip pleasant and manageable for everyone. From the top you can take in the panorama of Malá Fatra and the Strážov Mountains (Strážovské vrchy), plus a view over the Žilina Basin and the villages nearby. All in all, the Divinka lookout tower is an excellent choice if you’re after peace and quiet and fine views of the Slovak countryside.

Between you and me, of the three towers in this article, this is the one I liked best. It sits nicely in the landscape, looks natural, and the view really is phenomenal. Below the tower there’s also a picnic table and seating. Here’s how I rated the Divinka lookout tower:

Access: 3/3 (a nice, well-kept trail)
Hike difficulty: 2/3 (a moderate climb)
View: 3/3 (a beautiful view of the surroundings)
Condition of the tower: 3/3 (nice, new, well kept)

Where to park for the Divinka lookout tower

Use the paid car park by the football pitch in Divinka. The fee covers the whole day, from midnight to midnight.

Dubeň lookout tower

The Dubeň lookout tower is a popular outing in Žilina, with lovely views of the city and the countryside around it. It stands on top of Dubeň hill, part of the Žilina Basin. Anyone can get up there, from families with children to experienced hikers.

The tower went up in 2018 and quickly became popular with locals and visitors alike. It has a modern wooden design and stands 27 metres tall. From the top there’s a beautiful view over the whole of Žilina, including landmarks such as Holy Trinity Cathedral and Budatín Castle. You can also see Malá Fatra, the Strážov Mountains and the Javorníky, which makes it a great spot for photographers and nature lovers.

Several hiking trails lead up to the tower. The most popular one starts in the city park and takes about 30 to 45 minutes on foot. The tower opened in March 2018, but the idea of building one here goes back to 1995.

The view is nice, but to me the tower’s modern architecture doesn’t fit its surroundings, and I don’t think the design belongs here. I’d have gone for something more natural, not a wooden block. Here’s how I rated the Dubeň lookout tower:

Access: 3/3 (a clear trail, mown grass, nicely kept)
Hike difficulty: 1/3 (an easy walk)
View: 3/3 (a beautiful view of Žilina)
Condition of the tower: 3/3 (nice, new, well kept)

Where to park for the Dubeň lookout tower

I parked for free in Zádubnie, by the COOP Jednota grocery shop. One thing to know: the car park is reserved for customers. I was there on a Sunday, though, when the shop is closed.

Happy travels!
Milan