Discovering the different mineral springs around the center of Mariánské Lázně: 8 km

• Mariánské Lázně is the second largest spa town in the Czech Republic and the youngest of the trio of Bohemian spas that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list of European spas (which comprises eleven of the most historically significant spa resorts in Europe).
• Mariánské Lázně only started to be developed as a spa area at the beginning of the 19th century, when the swampy valley containing over 100 different mineral springs was drained. Many grand Classicist spa buildings and Empire-style hotels were constructed and Mariánské Lázně became the favored spa for many notable 19th century personalities, including Goethe and the British king, Edward VII.
• After a period of decline in the second half of the 20th century, Mariánské Lázně has mostly rediscovered its the Classicist grandeur, with spectacular fountains, colonnades and pavilions set in scenic park areas that line the still wooded valley. A walk around the central spa area is rewarding, especially for the chance to taste the famous waters from different springs dotted around the valley. Most taste highly mineral and are naturally carbonated. The water from Rudolfův pramen, in the Colonnade is possibly the most palatable!
• The main train station is situated a couple of km away from the main spa area, but there are regular buses to the center if preferring not walk into town. Once in the center, visit the main park area, with its fountains and Classicist architecture, including the spectacular Spa Colonnade.
• A short geological educational trail, which starts behind the town museum and runs through a section of woods above the town, provides a detailed explanation of the different rock types that gives rise to the unique chemical compositions of the 100 springs. This is worth detouring for.
• The suggested return journey to the station (or center if parking or staying in the town overnight) passes a number of different springs, some of which can be sampled. The full tour described above, if starting and finishing in the train station is a little over 8 km long, with 100m of height to climb/descend, mostly on the geology trail. All the paths can be managed with a stroller. There are many refreshment options throughout the town.

Note: click ‘Show on map’ above to go to a full screen version directly on the mapy.cz site. This can be used for online navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file

Directions

• If arriving by train, head into the center of town either by bus, or join the Hlavní třída main start and walk the 2 km up the to spa area
• After exploring the main park areas and spa buildings head towards the town museum (map point 5) situated above Goethe’s square – the geology trail starts just behind the museum
• After walking some or all of the geology trail (there is an optional loop above the main section of the trail) descend back to the town following the Goethova cesta footpath to reach the northern part of the spa area (there is a pavilion housing the ‘forest spring’)
• From there return back into town by following the GREEN hiking trail passing the impressive Reitenberger spa hotel
• The trail then descends through the center of the Václav Skalník Gardens and then leaves the main street to follow the course of the main stream running through the town
• This trail passes a number of important springs, including the oldest mineral spring, named after Ferdinand I (where the oldest Classicist colonnade is located)
• Continue as far as the Rudolf spring and then leave the GREEN trail taking one of the side streets to return back to the station area