Circular routes from Krupka to Komáří hůrka (808m) in the Eastern Krušné hory: 8 km to 19 km

• Komáří hůrka (808m) is a well known summit lying at the eastern end of the Krušné hory mountains in northern Bohemia. It is a popular peak due to panoramic views from the restaurant-pension that is situated at the top.
• There are several hiking routes to the summit, from all points of the compass, mostly through the picturesque mixed forests that line the whole mountain range. The closest access point for the trails is the historic town of Krupka, situated between Teplice and Ústí nad Labem.
• Krupka is famous as one of the most important centers of ore mining in the whole region. Tin has probably been sourced from the area since the Bronze Age (Copper and Tin are the components of Bronze). The area had such importance in the history of mining in Central Europe, that it was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 2019.
• The attractive old town of Krupka is lined with mostly renovated Renaissance buildings, dominated by the Gothic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and overlooked by the walls of the 14th century castle, which was a popular spot for visits by J. W. Goethe in the early the 19th century. At the center of the castle ruins is an attractive pension-restaurant with a terrace serving good food, a good spot for some refreshments after a circular hike around the mountain.
• From Krupka there are at least five different trails running through the forests and onto the ridge near the Komáří hůrka summit. The most scenic of these is probably the BLUE trail, which runs directly past the castle and keeps mostly to forest footpaths. There are also two educational trails leading to the ridge, focusing on the mining history of the region. The route shown in the map and described below takes one of these mining trails up the mountain and then descends along the blue route.
• Circular routes up and then down the mountain are generally between 12 km and 19 km long, depending on the route chosen and starting point (the recommended route shown here is 15.3 km long), with around 500m of height to ascend-descend. None of the trails are particularly steep or difficult.
• If preferring to only take the route in one direction (either ascent or descent) there is a bus route from Krupka to close to the summit. There is also a 2 person chairlift, which runs from Krupka year round (apart from during advertised maintenance periods), on the south side of the hill. At 2.3 km long it is the longest passenger cableway in the country.
• For refreshments, in addition to the castle restaurant in Krupka, try the mountain hotel at the summit (there is an outside snack bar and indoor restaurant) as well as at the scenic snack bar next to the St Wolfgang chapel, 300m down the road from the summit (located near the car park and bus stop).

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Directions

• Krupka old town can be reached by regular bus from Teplice. There is only limited parking in the old town and if driving it may be necessary to park in the Bohosudov district (near the Baroque basilica) or at the chair lift station and walk the extra 2 km to the old town
• From the bus stop below the old town (Krupka, škola) take the GREEN trail in the direction of Kotelní jezírko
• Follow this trail along the main street for 700m, past the town museum on the left and then turn right off the main street, still on the GREEN trail, which is also marked as an educational trail (green-white diagonal stripes)
• The trail winds up the hillside, past several old mining works, to reach the mountain pond of Kotelní jezírko after 4.1 km
• From the pond continue uphill on the GREEN trail for a further 1.3 km emerging from the forest at the ridge line
• Here, turn left onto the RED trail and continue to the summit which is reached in 800m
• From the summit, join the YELLOW trail heading downhill on the road to reach the parking area at Komáří vížka in 400m
• Continue on the YELLOW trail, passing the Sedmihůrská viewpoint on the right (steps lead p to the seating area) after 1.9 km
• From the viewpoint continue 1 km on the YELLOW trail to reach the junction of Pod Loupežníkem. Here, turn sharply left onto the BLUE trail, heading in the direction of Hrad Krupka
• The trail descends the mountain on attractive forest footpaths, to reach Krupka castle after 4.5 km
• Take at look at the castle grounds (entry is free) even if not planning on visiting the castle restaurant
• From the castle, continue downhill to reach the old town and bus stop