*The Diana lookout and Svatý Linhart deer park trail above Karlovy Vary – 11 km*

• Karlovy Vary is the largest spa town in the country and one of the eleven most famous European spas that were collectively added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2021. It is a grand resort, in every sense, full of elegant Art Deco and Classicist architecture that has attracted film stars and royalty for centuries. In the 14th century, Bohemian king (and Holy Roman Emperor) Charles IV established Karlovy Vary, to enable his subjects to enjoy the many unique hot mineral springs that line the valley.
• Perhaps the most well known landmark in the hills above Karlovy Vary is the Diana lookout tower, originally constructed just before WW I. In addition to the tower, offering a very broad panorama, there is a unique tropical butterfly house, a mini zoo for children to explore and a restaurant with a terrace. There are various routes up and down to the tower including catching the funicular (itself a historical monument, over a hundred years old), which runs throughout the year from just behind the famous Grandhotel Pupp. This is not a bad idea as it saves nearly 200m of ascent/descent.
• For those feeling in need of a slightly more demanding walk there a number of marked trails leading up to and down from the tower. Two options are covered in the 6 km round trip described on this page. For a longer walk, consider heading into the forest are behind the tower to visit the extensive Svatý Linhart deer park, with its viewing platforms to observe the animals. This route is shown in the map below.
• There are three separate viewing towers to observe the animals, the last of which is overlooking the reserve for wild boar. Note that in warm weather the animals are usually sheltering in the shade and the boar, in particular, will be hard to spot. There is an education trail that circles the game reserve, with information boards – some of which are in German and English.
• The trail passes the interesting ruin of the church of Sv. Linhart (St. Leonard) – just off the main trail at map point 8). This former Romanesque building dates from the 13th century. The village it was attached to disappeared in the 16th century after the foundation of Karlovy Vary.
• In complete contrast to the Sv. Linhart ruins consider taking the slight detour in the way down to see the remarkable Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Peter & Paul (map point 13). This extraordinary church was funded by the Russian aristocracy – long time visitors to Karlovy Vary. It was consecrated in 1898.
• The total route shown in the map below is approximately 11 km long with 350m of height to ascend/descend. If wanting to shorten the trip slightly (by 1 km) and reduce the climbing, catch the funicular from behind the hotel Pupp. However, the suggested route does have some of the best views over Karlovy Vary and is definitely worth doing! None of the trails are difficult, although the trail up to the Diana tower is quite steep.
• There are various refreshment options along the route, including a snack bar and restaurant at the Diana tower. A quieter option is the pleasant café at the end of the Sv. Linhart game reserve (map point 10). For a special treat after completing the walk, consider a stop at the restaurant Tusculum (map point 14), situated in a quiet side street in the stunning Westend residential quarter of Karlovy Vary. This area has the most spectacular ‘Belle Epoque’ villas in town. Tusculum is this author’s favourite restaurant in town for casual fine dining (and is also a Hejlík recommendation).

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

• Starting at the center of the resort (next to Jánský bridge) pick up the YELLOW hiking trail heading in the direction of Kamzík
• The trail ascends a series of steps that start between two Art Deco mansions, just a few meters from the bridge
• After 400m reach the first viewpoint, with the well known statue of a chamois on a rock
• Continue climbing for a further 300m to reach the second viewpoint (Peter the Great)
• From there follow the terrace path – still YELLOW – for 700m to reach the Pod Dianou trail junction
• At the junction turn right onto the BLUE trail which leads up to the Diana tower after 500m
• From the Diana tower, continue on the BLUE trail for 800m to reach the Nad lesní pobožností junction
• At the Nad lesní pobožností junction, turn right onto the forest road and continue straight on for 600m to reach the ‘Giant furniture’ (see picture immediately below – it is not meant to be climbed on !)
• Join the game park nature trail at the giant furniture clearing. The trail is mostly unmarked so best followed with gps and mapy.com or a good paper map. The route can be taken in either direction (clockwise or anticlockwise) visiting the animal lookout towers on the way
• Return back to the giant’s furniture after completing the loop and head gently down hill on the forest road to reach the GREEN trail after 400m
• Head down into Karlovy Vary on the GREEN trail – it leads directly into town in 2 km. Take the time to look around the Westend residential and hotel area (including the Orthodox Cathedral) if not visited on a previous trip