*A visit to Valeč chateau and park, with an optional extension to Orlík viewpoint: 2 km – 10 km*
- Valeč chateau is a remarkable gem of the High Baroque, located some 30 km to the east of Karlovy Vary. It deserves to be better known. The chateau was rebuilt at the beginning of the 18th century on the site of a Gothic/Renaissance fortified house. The estate was confiscated by the State in 1945 and subsequently became a children’s home before a devastating fire in 1976 left the interior in ruins. The chateau is slowly being renovated a parts can now be toured.
- The real highlight of a visit is the park area, which was considered in its day to include one of the finest Baroque gardens in the Habsburg Empire. Originally created in a French/Italian style at the beginning of the 18th century, the gardens were later adapted into an English-style park. There is even a remarkable Italian style ‘Teatron’ which was designed to host summer plays. The park is also adorned with statues created by the famous Baroque sculptor, Mathias Bernhard Braun. The ones on display today are copies – the originals are at Kladruby monastery.
- In the immediate surroundings of the chateau, numerous Baroque buildings can be seen, in various states of repair, which adds interest to a walk around the estate. Overall it is little more than a couple of kilometers walk around the park and town area. It is worth a trip just to do this tour. However, if wanting a longer hike in the surrounding countryside consider the 10 km loop shown in the map below.
- The main highlight of this longer walk (apart from the Chateau park) is a visit to the Skalní vyhlídka Orlík (Eagle rock viewpoint). This is a volcanic rock outcrop, 4 km south east of the chateau. Apart from a good view, it is also worth noting there is a clearly visible outline of prehistoric fortifications near the hilltop. This was apparently an late Bronze Age/early Iron Age fortification, with an unknown purpose (according to a notice board at the site). Interestingly, it is not easy to locate any additional information on the site on the internet – if anyone finds some info please send a comment on this page!)
- The full route involves around 200m of ascent/descent, mostly on forest or meadow footpaths. The trails are all easy, but note that the route shown below involves a section on unmarked footpaths, so is best followed on the mapy.com application. For refreshments, there is a small snack bar in the castle park – which is also the ticket office. It serves excellent coffee. During the summer season try the well-regarded Dvůr Valeč restaurant, in the town (map point 12). This has a nice terrace area.
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
- Valeč town is on a couple of local bus routes, but is not that easy to reach if travelling from Prague or Karlovy Vary bus public transports. Drivers can park in the town square opposite the church
- After touring the park area – there is a map of the attractions near the entrance – return back to the main square and join the GREEN trail heading towards the Pod Orlíkem trail junction, which is reached after 3 km
- At the junction, follow the green triangle diversion markers, to the rock viewpoint, which is reached after 600m
- Return back to the Pod Orlíkem junction and initially head back along the GREEN trail towards Valeč
- After 600m leave the GREEN trail to join an unmarked footpath which heads towards and then past a yellow wayside shrine
- Continue on this path fora further 600m unil the trail rejoins the GREEN hiking path. Turn right onto to hiking trail, which leads directly back into town in 2.1 km
