The area around Karlovy Vary is ideal for hikes with very different levels of difficulty. Our hike to the Diana Tower Karlovy Vary took us from the village in an almost 10 kilometer loop past some of the most beautiful viewpoints.
For those who think 10 kilometers is too long – don’t worry there is a super shortcut!
Start of the hike to the Diana Tower Karlovy Vary
Our path up into the woods near Karlovy Vary begins in the middle of the city. We leave the pedestrian zone and follow a path that winds slowly and quite steeply upwards. In some places there are railings, recessed stairs and also now and then a bench to take a breather.
We don’t make much progress, but that’s not because of the path and the climb. It is much more the view to Karlovy Vary that makes me stop again and again. Every now and then a gap opens up between the trees, which makes us jam again and again.
Viewpoint: Christina Pavilion
Between the trees we discover a wooden pavilion, the Vyhlídkový altán Kristýna. From the path it looks quite overgrown, we nevertheless made our way there.
The path is hidden and we finally walk there via a trail. The pavilion has been built on a rock and with some fresh paint it would look even more inviting. Maybe that is also the reason why hardly anyone goes here. We were there all alone. The view is overgrown, but this also makes the view into the valley interesting.
Mayer-Gloriette a great view
Further we went to the next viewpoint. In 1804, the businessman Mayer built a Gloriette, where you can see the unique view of the city. The wooden lookout is also called Hirschsprung lookout.
This viewpoint is very popular with hikers and spa guests. I think you should not miss this view. You can hardly get such a view of the city elsewhere.
Viewpoint Petrova výšina
It is not far from the Mayer-Gloriette to the Petrova výšina viewpoint. We had already discovered the cross standing there from below and determined that this must be “the viewpoint”.
You can reach the viewing platform via a staircase. While we were there, visitors arrived constantly and stood relatively close together. For us a reason not to go up there and rather continue our hike.
Theresien obelisk
Below the viewing platform there is a sandstone obelisk. This stone was placed here in 1834 in honor of Duchess Marie Thérèse Charlotte d’Angoulême. The daughter of the French King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette of Austria visited Karlvy Vary and also participated in the unveiling of the monument.
From there we continued to the Diana Tower.
Diana Tower Karlovy Vary
Arrived at the lookout tower high above Karlovy Vary I note first pleased, it is almost deserted on the tower and that although the entrance is free. We immediately took advantage and climbed the stairs. If the 150 steps are too much for you, you can also take the elevator to the top.
The construction of the Diana Tower Karlovy Vary began around 1804, when the Karlovy Vary inhabitant Drumm decided to attract tourists on this hill. Together with his uncle, he created a path in the forest and built two benches on the hill. Finished was a viewpoint that attracted visitors and was touted by city guides at the time as the best place for a view over Karlovy Vary.
However, the place had one “disadvantage”, at first you could reach it only after a strenuous climb. This changed after the cable car was built to the summit in 1912-1914. A hunting lodge and a lookout tower were soon built at the top station, which were enthusiastically visited by the spa guests. But not only the spa guests already visited the Diana Tower Karlovy Vary, Goethe and Freud are also said to have enjoyed the view. In the course of time, the tower had not only one name, but then the name Diana Tower has naturalized.
The square brick tower is 40 meters high. The observation deck is 35 meters high and goes all the way around the tower. I am really thrilled by the view you have from up there. Not only Karlovy Vary with the large spa forest can be seen there, but also the Duppau Mountains and the Imperial Forest are said to be discoverable. Supposedly, you can even see the Fichtelgebirge mountains when the view is good.
Opening hours of the Diana Tower Karlovy Vary
January: closed
February, March, November, December: 9.15-16.45
April, September, October: 9.15-17.45
May, June, July, August: 9.15-18.45
It is also possible without hiking: Funicular to the Diana Tower Karlovy Vary
Right next to the Grandhotel Pupp, in a small alley, is the bottom station of the funicular Diana. About 40 passengers can reach the observation tower here in about 3 minutes ride.
The funicular runs daily from 9 am. The last descent is signposted at the station.
Fare:
Adult single trip 80 CZK
Adults round trip: 110 CZK
Discounts are offered. Those who have a Karlovy VARY REGION CARD can ride the train once for free.
Papilonia – Butterfly House Karlovy Vary
Directly at the Diana Tower Karlovy Vary is a small butterfly garden. From an anteroom you enter through a small sluice (no animal should escape through the door) into a warm and humid room.
Everywhere it flutters and you should look well where you step – the colorful butterflies sit everywhere. About 20 butterfly species from Thailand, the Philippines, Mexico and the South American rainforests live here. There are supposed to be about 300 animals and sometimes you have to look very closely if you want to recognize the butterflies between the plants.
There is even a small breeding room. If you are lucky, you can watch a butterfly hatch.
I could have spent hours here looking for butterflies. These animals are just great photo subjects!
Opening hours:
November-March: 10-17 h
April-October: 10-18 h
May-September: 10-19 h
24.12. closed
Entrance fees:
Adults: 90 CZK
ATTENTION! Only cash payment possible!
With Karlovy VARY REGION CARD you have free entrance.
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Our hike goes on
Before we even got back on the trail, we quickly stopped by the ponies, the goats, and the Chinese pot-bellied pigs in the mini-zoo behind the butterfly house. Two peacocks also live here and roam freely in the grounds. Pet the animal is allowed here, but feeding is not!
We continued walking along well-maintained hiking trails. I found it very helpful that the paths are really very well signposted. Not only the small hiking route logos can be discovered everywhere, but also signs, some of which also showed the German translations. I was amazed at the many hikers’ cabins that can be found along the main trails.
We discovered quite a few things on our way through the forest: wether a mushroom at the edge of the path or a bird hopping through the undergrowth. You just had to keep your eyes and ears open to experience the beautiful nature.
After a while we reached our last planned destination during the hike. A wooden footbridge appeared in front of us and took us to the animal park near St.Linhart.
Animal park near St. Linhart
The animal park is about 70 hectares in size. It is divided into three areas populated by different animals. The visitor can walk across the area on boardwalks, similar to treetop paths. At one point you are up to 15 meters above the ground.
First we walked through/over the habitat of the fallow deer. At first we were quite unsure if the animals would not hide in the undergrowth if they should hear us. But then we discovered the first animal.
Calm as a cucumber, he lay there and did not let us disturb him at all. This made us confident that we would be able to discover even more animals. And what can I say, there were many animals. They were lying completely relaxed in the sun, grazing or walking from here to there.
Humans are definitely used to these animals. I found it particularly exciting that we were all alone here. And I think that was the only way to observe a deer fetching apples from a tree. We had already wondered where the noise came from that sounded as if two antlers were colliding. Only later did we discover the deer standing on its hind legs and hitting the branches with its antlers until an apple fell to the ground.
The path through the fallow deer enclosure is quite long and when we reached the end we decided to continue walking towards the wild boar enclosure. Also through this enclosure is a raised wooden walkway.
What was immediately noticeable was that the vegetation was completely different from that in the fallow deer enclosure. There was hardly any green ground here, but sand and mud. This makes it a bit harder to spot the wild boars. Some were lying very lazily in their sand beds and sleeping.
There were some younger wild boars digging and playing in the sand. At a small pond we could even observe the wild boars drinking. They also showed no fear of us and their behaviour clearly showed that they were very sure that we would not come to their enclosure.
The visit to the game reserve is free of charge. We liked it very much.
We made our way back from there. We passed a monument in the middle of the forest. Památník Kniha shows an open book with German text.
Hiking trail
If you want, you can follow our tour on the map or even hike it!
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