*Exploring Klášterec nad Ohří, with an optional visit to the Egerberk/Lestkov ruins: 2 km to 12 km*

• The historic town of Klášterec nad Ohří, situated on the banks of the river Ohře in northwest Bohemia, is full of interesting surprises and is well worth a visit! The settlement was probably founded in the 12th century, when a branch of the Benedictine monastery in Postoloprty was established on the riverbank. Today, the town is dominated by two fine Baroque churches and a neo-Gothic chateau with a large well-maintained English-style park area.
• Just outside the town center a small spa area was established in the late 19th century when the Evženie spring was discovered. The original spring waters are slightly radioactive (!) but a second spring was established in 1990 and these waters are used today for treatments and bottling.
• The current appearance of the town owes much to the period of ownership by the Thun-Hohensteins (a Bohemian-Austrian noble family with origins in the Trentino area of Italy). The Catholic Thun family acquired the chateau in 1621 after the Battle of White Mountain. The family developed the complex over the following three centuries, until the chateau was expropriated after the second world war. The interesting chateau can be visited on tours between April and October.
• It is possible to explore the main highlights of the town and park area in just a couple of kilometers (if driving and parking in the center) but it is definitely worth extending the trip with the circular route described below. This starts at the train station and follows the cycle path along the Ohře river into the main town, continues through the park to the spa area and then (if completing the full 12 km circuit) climbs into the volcanic hills to the south of Klášterec.
• The trail passes the romantic ruins of Egerberk castle, above the village of Lestkov. The castle was probably established at the end of the 13th century and was abandoned by the mid 16th century. There are excellent views from the top and on the ascent-descent paths.
• The riverside path (an asphalt cycle track), chateau park and town area can all be managed with a stroller. The routes up and down from Egerberk castle, although not particularly steep, are not recommended with a stroller. The paths can get very muddy after wet weather.
• There are various refreshment options in town and at the spa area but do try the atmospheric Café Kelly just next to the Holy Trinity Church in the town center (map point 6) or Café Korek, near the bus station (map point 13). In the summer months consider stopping at the pub Vyhlídka (map point 12) in Rašovice.

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 bus and train station (which has direct connections with Prague) take the GREEN hiking trail for 700m in the direction of Rašovice and then turn right to follow the cycle path to reach the chateau park area after 1.2 km
• Explore the attractive park and chateau complex and move on to visit the historic town with its two dominant Baroque churches
• Return back to the chateau park and continue following the course of the river to reach the spa area in 800m (there are various signposts in town indicating the direction to the landmarks)
• From the spa area, cross the river using the road bridge, joining the RED trail which leads up to the Egerberk ruins in just over 2 km
• From the ruins continue on the RED trail down the opposite side of the hill to reach Rašovice after 2.5 km
• At Rašovice, rejoin the GREEN trail, which leads back to the bus-train station after 2.2 km