A walk around Bor, a unique West Bohemian castle, chateau and park area: 3 km

• The town of Bor is strategically situated 50 km to the west of Plzeň, on an important medieval trade route connecting Bohemia with Germany. A moated castle was first built in the town in the 13th century. The castle underwent various transformations over the subsequent centuries. The most dramatic reconstruction converted the late medieval fortress into the current neo-Gothic chateau during the 19th century.
• Much of the original Gothic castle remains in tact under the shell of its romantic 19th century make-over, including the striking cylindrical tower, which dates originally from the 13th century when the castle had a Bergfrit form. Bor castle/chateau therefore offers a remarkable 600 year period of different architectural features.
• The castle is open for tours from April to October and there is a park area which is is worth strolling around, especially to see the colony of friendly beavers that inhabits the large castle fish pond. The walk to/from the Bor bus station to the castle and around the park is around 3 km in length (a bit shorter if driving and parking in the town square). The completely flat trip is easily managed with a stroller. There are various refreshment options in main square of Bor town.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• From the town center and/or bus station follow the GREEN hiking trail to reach the castle entrance in a few hundred meters
• After visiting the castle area continue on the GREEN trail through the park, past the two fishponds
• After 800m turn right to pass around the second pond and then take the wooden walkway to reach the far side of the main castle pond (where the tame beaver colony might be found)
• Return back through the castle area to the town square