Circular hike from Klášterec nad Ohří to the ridge of the Ore Mountains

A pleasant route through part of the Ore Mountains

Starting point

We start our trip in the town of Klášterec nad Ohří and park for free, which is possible almost everywhere in this town. Right in the town centre, free parking is limited to 3 hours.
 

Description of the hike

Klášterec nad Ohří lies in the foothills of the Ore Mountains, about 20 km from Chomutov. It is a pleasant spa town with a tradition of porcelain production. A few kilometres away is a huge open-cast mine and the Prunéřov and Tušimice power stations, but you would never know it here. Klášterec is picturesque – a dark red castle, a white and red Sala terrena, a parish church, pastel-coloured houses on the square, and the yellow Evženie spa. Parking at the Evženie spa is free.

Just a few metres away is the entrance to the castle park. The Ohře River flows lazily here, reflecting the hills opposite. The park is adorned with centuries-old oaks, and a fountain gurgles in front of the castle. A blue tourist trail leads from the castle to Měděnec. It passes through a peaceful neighbourhood with First Republic villas and continues into the forest along the Široký stream. Lesy ČR (Forests of the Czech Republic) has built several wooden shelters here, and the Cesta z města (Path from the City) educational trail provides information about the history of Klášterec and its surroundings.

The blue trail gradually climbs around the stream to the abandoned village of Venkov, where today only a few recreational cottages and the small Alšovka ski resort remain. From the ski lifts, you can see through the forest down to the Most Basin. A broken asphalt road leads from the car park to the road to Měděnec.

Just below Měděnec sit the stone Sphinxes, rocks with a view of the hills above the Ohře River. There used to be a coaching inn here called Zur Sphinx, but today only information boards remain as a reminder of it. It is only a few hundred metres along the road to Měděnec, a village where metals have been mined since the Middle Ages. The dominant feature of Měděnec is the hill Mědník with a round chapel resembling a rocket.

Mědník is said to be one of the most drilled hills in the Ore Mountains. At its foot are the mouths of the Země zaslíbená and Panny Marie Pomocné adits, where it is possible to arrange a tour. Mědník offers a panoramic view of the Ore Mountains, with the Klínovec and Fichtelberg ski resorts visible to the west and wind turbines spinning to the east. Between Měděnec and Horní Halže, a path leads through the open countryside across the plains of the Ore Mountains.

It is beautiful here – wind-swept cranes, flowering meadows, grazing cattle, lots of raspberries. From Horní Halže, the yellow trail descends back to the Ohře River. The trail leads through the forest, and the meadows and pastures offer views of the Ohře Valley. After five kilometres, the first houses of Pernštejn appear, a village with a brewery, swimming pool and castle of the same name. You can return to Klášterec along the Ohře River or visit the ruins of Šumburk Castle.

The detour is worth it, as Šumburk offers a beautiful panoramic view. Klášterec is right there in front of you. Along the orchards, the path descends to Ohřecká louka with hidden rock viewpoints overlooking the Ohře River. The red tourist trail then follows the river to Kostelec. The Evženie Spa on the southern edge of Kostelec retains the atmosphere of old times. There is a café and restaurant called Peřeje, where you can end your trip with a good meal or spa wafers on the terrace.
 

Difficulty

The route mostly follows marked hiking trails around Klášterec nad Ohří, and there are no dangerous or exposed areas. The trip can be easily managed by children or active pensioners. No special equipment is required, just sports shoes that are comfortable to walk in.
 

Water availability

There is no problem at all with replenishing fluids or even finding something to eat along this route. You will pass through several villages and towns where there are plenty of places to stop for refreshments.
 

Mountain peaks

During this trip, we will climb to the top of Mědník (910 m above sea level) and Šumberk (545 m above sea level), which offer views of the Ore Mountains, the Most Basin and the Ohře Valley.