Spa Walking Tours

 

Walking Route No. 1
Postovni dvur - Cross Slovenska ulice (street) and turn right towards the bridge across the Tepla River. Cross the bridge and on the other bank you will pass volleyball courts. Veer to the right and there is a gentle climb to "Beethovenova Chata". From "Beethovenova Chata", take the Mickiewicz's path on your left. This will lead you towards Richmond Sanatorium.
Beethovenův altán - This is a reminder of a concert given here by this famous composer together with an Italian violinist, G.B. Polleder, in August 1812.
Spa Sanatorium Richmond - This was built at the beginning of the 19th century, and it's present condition is a result of gradual renovations. It's location is beautiful, and in the large surrounding park you can find a monument to Ludwig van Beethoven. This was created in 1929 and is the work of Karlovy Vary sculptor Hugo Uher. There is also a bronze bust of the Polish poet, A. Mickiewicz. This was made by the scultptor, B. Werner in 1947.
Deer's Statue - This is located behind Richmond Sanatorium and is probably the work of Berlin sculptor, A. Kiss.

Trail #1 - length 2000m; ascent 20m; duration 30 minutes;
Energy expended at average spee dof 4-5km/hr:
Person weighing 70 kg -98 kcal; if 80kg - 112 kcal.

 

Walking Route No. 2
Postovni dvur - Cross Slovenska ulice (street) and turn right towards the bridge across the Tepla River. Cross the bridge and on the other bank you will pass volleyball courts. Veer to the right and there is a gentle climb to "Beethovenova Chata". From Beethovenova Chata, walk down to the tennis courts and continue through the forest, behind the motel to Alice Hotel on the outskirts of the community of Brezova - bus stop on the bus route Karlovy Vary - Brezova.
This second walk is one of the easier walks which we recommend for all people who have been forbidden by a doctor to overexert themselves, or for those that have joint or respiratory problems.
Postovni dvur (Old Postal Court) - This was built in 1791 by Karlovy Vary Postmaster, Josef Korb, to be used as a station for exchanging tired postal horses for fresh ones. Later, this place became an important cultural centre. On the 20th of July 1894, it was the site of the European premiere of Dvorak's, "New World Symphony". The Hall of Labitzky (1791) and Hall Prusky (1818) are located here, together with a restaurant, wine cellar, and garden dance pavilion which are sought out by spa visitors.

Trail #2 - length 2500 m; ascent 15m; duration 40 minutes;
Energy expended at average speed of 4-5 km/hr:
Person weighing 70 kg - 118 kcal; if 80 kg - 134 kcal.

Walking Route No. 3
Galerie umeni - Follow the paved path, up the gentle climb to Dvorak's path above the Letni kino (Summer Theatre), then through the forset on the "Odpoledne cesta" (Afternoon path). Behind the ranger station, take the lower branch of this path towards the tennis courts, and then follow the Tepla River back towards Toscana and Postovni dvur to Galerie umeni.

Galerie umeni (Art Gallery) - It was built in 1912 by architect/professor Seitz. Originally it was built for the Cheb Chamber of Commerce to give them a place to display samples of merchandise. Since 1953 it is used exclusively as an art gallery. In the immediate vicinity of the gallery is a monument built in 1909 to honour Friedrich Schiller. This memorial monument was designed by architect, F. Ohmann. The relief was sculpted in stone by Max Hiller, In the park by the Summer Theatre, there is a monument created in 1949 to honour the Czech musical composer, Bedrich Smetana. It was done by sculptor, J. Wagner.

Walking Route No. 4
Hlavni posta - Follow trida (avenue) T.G. Masaryk bearing left to Krale Jiriho ulice (street). Turn left onto Krale Jiriho ulice (street), take the first street to the right (Svahova ulice), and follow it up to the path running behind the courthouse and City Hall. Take Vrazova ulice (street) to Tuhnice and then to Sumavska ulice (street) - bus stop for Bus Route #2 - Sumavska.

Hlavni posta (Main Post Office) - It is an important divider between the business and spa districts of Karlovy Vary. The post office was designed by architect Friedrich Setz and built in 1903. At that time, it was one of the most modern postal institutions belonging to the Austo-Hungarian monarchy. On the exterior of the building at the leve of the third floor, there are four individual allegorical statues. Each statue represents one mode of communication/transportation - telegraph, railway, shipping and post. The main post office building is one of the state heritage buildings.

Walking Route No. 5
Stanice lanovky jeleni skok (Stag's Leap Station of funicular) - Follow the gentle climbing panoramic path to the crossroads "Ecce Homo" and take the gentle descent to "Odpoledni pesina", all the way to Slovenska Street. Here veer left back towards the tennis courts - bus stop on the bus route Karlovy Vary - Brezova.

Tennis - The first mention of tennis in Karlovy Vary is from the year 1897 when the first asphalt court was built on the present-day site of Spa IV. The tennis court was used mainly by the officers. In 1905, work was begun on the building of tennis courts in Gejzierpark using English construction technology. Club facilities were built between 1907 and 1908 and this evolved into the best equipped tennis club in the middle of Europe at that time.

Walking Route No. 6
Stanice lanovky Jeleni skok (Stag's Leap station for the funicular) - Go through the forest to Spa Sanatorium Myslivna and veer left onto the Fibichova pesina (Fibich's path) and follow it on the gentle descent to krizikova ulice (street). Follow alone the edge of the firest to the pond by Male Versailles Restaurant - bus stop on Route #4 - U Jezirka.

Sanatorium Myslivna (former Ranger Station) - It is interesting because of it's unique style of construction with it's balconies and steeples. The sanatorium is one of the few remaining buildings of its kind. At the present time it serves as a spa institution for the Ministry of Interior.

The walk ends near the Orthodox Church of St. Peter and Paul. The church was built between 1893 and 1989 according to the plans of builder, G. Wiedermann from Frantiskovy Lazne. It was funded by monetary donations from Russian spa visitors.

Walking Route No. 7
Galerie umeni - Go through the park, then veer right to the Labitzkeho stezka (Labitzky path). Continue on Findlaterova stezka (Findlater path) towards the path intersection called "Ecce Homo". Go right and take the downward Chotkova pesina (Chotek path), and then veer right through the serpentines to ulice (street) Pod Jelenim Skokem towards Zamecka kolonada (Castle Colonnade).

If you veer off the Findlaterova stezka, you can enjoy the view of Karlovy Vary from rozhledna Karla IV (lookout of Charles IV). It was built in 1877 in the neo-gothic style.

Zamecka vez (Castle Tower) - This is the last reminder of the original Gothic style castle of Charles IV from the first half of the 14th century. The tower was given it's present appearance during renovations in 1608 and then again in the 18th century. In the past, important visitors to the town were greeted by fanfares from the observation deck of the tower.

This is a beautiful place to finish your walk in the style of Charles IV, with good food and drinks in the restaurant in the Castle Tower.

Walking Route No. 8
Postovni dvur - Cross Slovenska ulice (street) and turn right towards the bridge across the Tepla River. Cross the bridge, turn right and go past "Beethovenova Chata", and up the gently slping "Okruzni cesta" towards "altan Na Vysine", and then down through the forest to the last stop on the bus route Karlovy Vary - Brezova.

Brezova - Located in the community of Brezova is the procelain-producting factory "Pirkenhammer" which was founded in 1813, and they also have a company museum on -site. There is also a dam here on the Tepla River. The river then flows through Karlovy Vary where it empties into the Ohre River in the centre of town. In the past there was an iron forge in Brezova where, in 1711, the extremely manually talented Russian Czar, Peter the Great, forged an iron rod and a horseshoe. There is a commemorative plaque on the former site of the old forge. Another uniquely interesting building in Brezova is Stary Mlyn (Old Mill) which was built in 1898.

You can end your walk with a pleasant break in the Staropramen Restaurant which is located near the bus stop on the Karlovy Vary-Brezova bus route. The Staropramen Restaurant offers a wide assortment of Czech meals and drinks.

Walking Route No. 9
Pond by Male Versailles Restaurant - On the right, walk along the edge of the forest, and then turn left to the gently climbing Fibichova pesina (Fibich path) towards the Myslivna Sanatorium. From there, go left up the gently climbing path to Jeleni Skok Restaurant, and through the serpentines arund the Kamzik (stag). Near the edge of the forest, go left onto the Jubilejni stezka (Anniversary path), to the Sovova stezka (Sova path). Then go to the right, down to Zamecky Vrch (Castle Hill).

Male Versailles Restaurant - This is a true replica of the original building from the end of the 18th century. It is one of the oldest Karlovy Vary inns. In 1820, it was visited by the German poet, G.W. Goethe. Today, the Male Versailles Restaurant offers a rich selection of Czech specialities, as well as international cuisine. Every Saturday, there is a country dance held here.

Socha Kamzika (Statue of the Stag) - The original statue was created in 1851 by Berlin sculptor, August Kiss. It was placed on the large rock by Baron Litzov because he wanted to ridicule the legend about the discovery of the Vridlo (Geyser). According to the legend, this location is called "Pod Jeleni Skokem" (Under the deer's leap). In 1984, the statue was destroyed by vandals. A bronze copy was made by the Karlov Vary sculptor, Jan Kotek, in 1986.

Walking Route No. 10
Pond by Male Versailles Restaurant - From Male Versailles Restaurant, go up Krizikova ulice (street), and continue up on Nerudova stezka (Neruda path) towards the ranger house, Diana. From there, continue on Lesmistrova cesta (Ranger's path) to Svahova ulice (street) and down to trida (Avenue) T.G. Masaryka to the hlavni posta (main post office).

Walking these spa trails is suitable not only for spa patients, but also for residents and visitors to the city. Again and again, the truth is proven of the old classical adage - "men san in corpore sano" - in a healthy body, there is a healthy spirit. First of all, in nature we can find the needed balance of physical and spiritual harmony.

In the vicinity of Diana, you can find shelter during bad weather in Fibichuv altan (Fibich's pavilion).

Walking Route No. 11
Zamecky Vrch (Castle Hill) - Go up Sovova stezka (Sova path), around Myslivna towards Diana. Here at the crossroads, veer right following Rohanova stezka (Rohan path) on it's slow descent towards ulice (street) Krale Jiriho. Turn right at the Trocnov Hotel and go down towards the pond by Male Versailles Restaurant.

The starting point is located in the villa quarter, formerly called Westend. This quarter was favoured mainly by English visitors to the city and that is how this name originated. The entire quarter is dominated by the Bristol Palace which was built in 1893. Before turning onto Sovova path, your attention will be captured by the anglikansky kostel sv. Lucase (Anglican Church of St. Lucas) built in the year 1877. The church was built kin the English neo-gothic style according to the plans of Josef Mothes.

Walking Route No. 12
Hurky (bus stop on bus line #8) - Follow the gently climbing forest road (Gogolova cesta - Gogol's road) to Goethova vyhlidka, and continue to the left on the serpentines down to the forest crossroad where you turn left woards Prazska ulice (Prague Street) - bus stop on bus line #8 - Cerny kun (Black Horse).

Goethova vyhlidka (Goethe's Look out) - This was built on the hill of Vecneho zivota (Eternal Life) in the year 1889 according to the plans of Fellner and Helmer. In this neo-gothic building, you will find a restaurant and look out tower with a view of Krusne hory (Orr Mountains), Slavkovsky les (Slavkovsky Forest) and Doupovske vrchy (Doupov's hills). Goethe liked to walk along this trail rich in minerals and botanical flora.

Restaurant Goethova vyhlidka offers you specialities of Czech and international cooking, a pleasant rest on the terrace, the opportunity to dance, and the view from the tower. Reservations can be made for the private dining room.

Walking Route No. 13
Zamecky vrch (Castle Hill) - Take Sovova stezka (Sova path) up towards the upper edge of the meadow above Krizikova ulice (street). Veer left and follow the climbing path around the Lesni poboznosti (Divine Service in the Forest) pavilion and the Pratelstvi (Friendship) Pavilion towards rozhledna (look out tower) Diana (station on the funicular).

Lanovka draha Stara Louka - Vysina pratelstvi (Diana) (Funicular going from Stara Louka [Old Meadow station] to Vysina pratelstvi [Mount Friendship station] (Diana) - It's length is 451.60m - measured on the slope - and it began running on 5.8.1912 during the biggest boom period of the spas. The project was designed by the famous Swiss expert on mountain railways, H.H. Peter from Zurich. Before this funicular was built, the spa visitors travelled in small carriages pulled by donkeys or directly on the donkeys' backs when going up and down the steep slopes surrounding Karlovy Vary.

Rozhledna Diana (Diana Look out Tower) - This tower is 35m high and was finished in 1914. It was originally called "The Friendship Lookout" but as time progressed, the name "Diana" was accepted.

Walking Route No. 14
Zamecky Vrch (Castle Hill) - Go up on Sovova stezka (path), around Myslivna Sanatorium towards Diana. Continue on Sovova stezka towards Restaurant Svaty Linhart (St. Linhart). Behind the restaurant, turn right going down towards the crossroads of the forest paths. At the crossroads, turn left towards the railway station in Doubi.

In the immediate vicinty of Restaurant sv. Linhart can be found the remains of the buildings of the original settlement, Obora, which was built on the king's hunting grounds of Loket Castle. At this location in the year 1246, the new church, Sv. Linhart was consecrated. However the newly established small town of Wary, near the Geyser, was attracting the resident of Obora and gradually they moved towards the hot springs. The restaurant sv. Linhart reminds us of the history of this area.

Walking Route No. 15
Postovni dvur - Cross Slovenska ulice (street) and turn right towards the bridge across the Tepla River. Cross the bridge, and turn right onto Beethovenova stezka (Beethoven's path) and follow it to Vitkova hora. Continue on Beethovenova stezka taking the gentle descent to the edge of the forest and then continue on Na Miliri ulice (street) above the Sanssouci Sanatorium - bus stop on bus route #8 - Cerny Kun (Black Horse).

In Karlovy Vary there are many sanatoriums offering spa treatments in pleasant surroundings. The basic philosophy behind the Karlovy Vary spa treatment is te belief that it is necessary to treat the whole person. The majority of the patients coming to Karlovy Vary suffer from chronic illnesses for which modern medicine has no remedy. The advantage of the spa treatment is the individualized care which is guaranteed in Karlovy Avry by many expert spa doctors, an abundance of spa procedures and most of all, the Karlovy Vary curing springs.

Walking Route No. 16
Zamecky Vrch(Castle Hill) - Go to the left on ulice Pod Jelenim skokem (street), turn right and follow the serpentines to hotkova pesina (Chotek path). Go left and take the gentle climb to the forest crossroad "Ecce Homo". Here turn right on Rusalcina cesta (Rusalca path) to Kazatelna. Go right onto the Sovova stezka (Sova path) which leads through the forest. Turn right towards Diana and then go donw on Nerudova stezka (Neruda path) to Krizikova ulice (street), and around Male Versailles Restaurant to bus stop on bus route #4 - U Jezirka.

Zamecka kolonada (Castle Colonnade) - This was built during the period between 1911 and 1913 by Viennese architect, Friedrich Olmann. Located in it's atrium is a huge stone relief sculpture of the mythical "Spirit of the springs". This is the work of Vaclav Hejda and was reated in 1913. According to superstition, whoever touches the nose of this spirit returns back to Karlovy Vary, or is granted his/her dearest wish. In front of the relief structure is the lower castle spring.

Walking Route No. 17
Galerie umeni (art gallery) - Turn right to the forest and make the sharp climb up to Findlaterova stezka (Findlater path). Continue on to the crossroad "Ecce Homo". From there, take the serpentines to Diana rozhledna (lookout) and then veer down on the right to Marxova pesina (Marx's path). Follow this to Myslivna Sanatorium and then turn right onto the serpentines, through the forest and down to Grand Hotel Pupp.

Grand Hotel Pupp - In 1701, a large ballroom was built and named "Sasky sal". There was an addition built to it in 1728 which was called "Cesky sal". This became the most popular social centre for the nobles in Karlovy Vary. In 1775, a confectioner, Johan Georg Pupp, married a woman from Karlovy Vary and in 1786, he bought the Cesky sal. Over the next few generations, the Pupp family changed Cesky sal into a grand hotel and public corporation. The persent new baroque hotel building is from the years 1905 to 1907. At the crossroads of forest paths "Ecce Homo", you can find a little chapel called Ecce Homo from the year 1900, the newly renovated Chopinuv altan (Chopin's Pavilion) and the stone bench which was built here as a reminder of the visit to Karlovy Vary of J. Arany, a famous Hungarian poet.

Walking Route No. 18
Ondrejska ulice (Andrew Street) - Follow the road up around the kostelik sv. Ondrej (St. Andrew Chapel). Cross the street and continue along Na Vyhlidce, thruogh the serpentines to Gogolova stezka (Gogol path), and over Tri krize (Three Crosses). Continue on Gogolova stezka, climbing gently up the forest road to Gogolova cesta (Gogol Road) and then turn right to Goethova vyhlidce (Goeth's lookout) and back on Gogolova cesta (Gogol Road) to bus stop on bus route #8 - Hurky.

Vrch Tri krize (Three Crosses Hill) - Three large crosses resembling those at biblical Golgotha were erected here around the year 1640 when the Catholics were victorious in recapturing Karlovy Vary and the surrounding area from the Lutherans who dominated here for the previous 100 years. The hill is the subject of numerous horrific legends about goblins and the murder of three brothers. Formerly, there was a restaurant at Three Crosses and a unique pavilion "Camera obscura". Here in the dark pavilion, landscape scenes were projected on the wall. In the 19th century, this hill was one of the most visited sites in the area. Pavilion Camera obscura was rebuilt by the end of 1997. If you are interested in astronomy, we recommend you visit the karlovarska hvezdarna (Karlovy Vary observatory) in the part of the town called "Hurky".

Walking Route No. 19
Hlavni Posta (Main Post Office) - Cross the bridge in front of the post office, and cross ulice I.P. Pavlova (I.P. Pavlova Street). Take the winding upward path around the swimming pool of Thermal Sanatorium, through Mozartuv park (Mozart's park), towards the kostelik sv. Ondreje (St. Andrew Chapel). Continue on Ondrejska ulice (Andrew Street) and turn right on Na Vyhlidce (Street). At the former station of the Panoraa funicular railway, cross the road and walk up through the forest to Turgenovova stezka (path) and then right on this path to the forest crossroads. Go up on the serpentines towards Goethova vyhlidka (Goethe's look out) and then on forest road to the intersection. Turn right on former Stara Prazska silnice (Old Prague Road) and follow it on the gentle descent to the bus stop on bus route #8 - Cerny kun (Black Horse) and on Moravska ulice (Moravian Street), you down to Vridelni kolonada (Geyser Colonnade).

Mozartuv park (Mozart's Park) [formerly Ondrejska cemetery] - In Mozart's park, you can find tmbstones of a few important people (W.A. ozart - son, musician; Fridrich Gilly - Prussian architect; Jean de Carro - Karlovy Vary doctor; Dr. David Becher - Karlovy Vary doctor; Franz Franieck - publisher and printer in Karlovy Vary). The park ends by the kostelik sv. Ondeje, a late Gothic chapel, which was last renovated in 1841.

Walking Route No. 20
Pond by Male Versailles Restaurant -Go by Male Versailles Restaurant to Krizikova ulice (street) and continue to climb on Nerudova stezka (path) to Diana. Go on Sovova stezka (path), and veer left on the forest path leadign to the crossroads U Obrazu (At the Picture). From here, turn left and take the gentle descent through the forest to the water treatment plant above Brezova. Then take the steep grade down to Marianskolazenska silnice (street) and cross the street in the direction of Ke Strelnici (the Shooting Gallery). Past the restaurant and guest-house, Stary Mlyn (Old Mill) to the end stop on the bus line Karlovy Vary - Brezova.

Chata U Obrazu (Pavilion At The Picture) - This was built by the city in 1894 and it was given it's name because of the Holy picture which was placed on one of the trees. In the year 1900, an altar was built and you can also see the picture of the Virgin Mary with the Geyser.

Walking Route No. 21
Lanovka na rozhlednu Diana - (Funicular to Diana Look out) - Take the gentle descent on the Pratelstvi (Friendship) path to chata Pratelstvi (Friendship Pavilion) and continue on to the crossroad U Obrazu. Remain on the same path, veering left up towards Doubska vyhlidka (Hotel Aberg), and then down on the paved road to the restaurant Svaty Linhart (St. Linhart). From there, take Tuhnicka cesta (Tuhnice path) to the crossroad and descend on Doubska pesina (Doubi Path) to the bus stop on bus route #6 - U Zamecku.

In the past, the many forest restaurants enticed Karlovy Vary spa visitors to walk along the paths, and perhaps even partake of a diet breakfast after drinking the prescribed amount of spring water in the mornings. Today, the attraction of the forest walks is mainly the peace and quiet, gorgeous nooks, and beautiful views of the spa and it's surrounding area from many different vantage points, especially from the various look out towers. It is certainly pretty to see the spa forests from the colonnade walks, but to dive into the luxurious vegetation and walk through the web of forest paths, not only makes your body stronger but will soothe your soul.