Hike from Karlovy Vary to the Hans-Heiling-Rock

A very nice hike with very different trails leads to the Hans Heiling Rock. We have put together a tour online before starting our hike.

You can see our tour on the map:

When planning, it was crucial for us to choose a different route for the outward and return trip, in order to be able to experience as many impressions and different routes as possible.

Hiking in Karlovy Vary

Up to the Karlovy Vary district of Doubí, we first walked a bit along the Cheb River and then across the city. In Doubí we crossed a small bridge and entered a forest area.

From now on, it was almost all uphill – or so it seemed to me in any case. In the beginning, the path was still paved, but later the surface changed to well-built forest paths.
There were six other people coming towards us during the whole way there. All with baskets full of mushroom . Here must be an ideal mushroom area, the mushrooms looked huge. Clearly, the “right” mushrooms are not at the edge of the path, but so now and then we have also discovered a mushroom.

What we have seen are bushes full of berries. Many were unfortunately not yet ripe, but here you can certainly collect a lot.

Nevertheless, there was some refreshment on the way. At the side of the road were some small huts with suspended cups. Here bubbled fresh clear water and so we could fill up our empty bottles.

If you are a bit calmer on the way, you also have the chance to discover animals. We have heard and seen some birds. Unfortunately, they were often much too fast for a photo. But sometimes you also have luck.

After a while we had made it. The climb ended and from now on it was almost all downhill through the forest.

Finally we reached the valley and stood again at the Cheb river. From this point we went along the bank of the river. Until we reached a destination of our hike.

Over a very wobbly wooden suspension bridge, the “swinging bridge”, we crossed the river and saw the probably most famous rock of the region.

Hans-Heiling-Rock

The Cheb River flows between Karlovy Vary and Loket through the Hans Heiling Valley. Over the millennia, the river has cut the valley deeper and deeper, creating an indescribably beautiful landscape. Today, high granite walls have been shaped into mighty rock pillars and rock pyramids, creating an impressive backdrop.

One of the most famous rock formations in the river valley is the 50-meter high Hans Heiling Rock, which became a popular destination for spa guests from Karlovy Vary as early as the 19th century. In the past, it was possible to make a trip to the region by horse-drawn carriage or by boat. Today you can go to the rock on foot, by bike or by paddle boat.

An excursion restaurant is located on the opposite side of the river. We took a break here during our hike. In good weather, a beer garden invites you to linger, but you can also sit inside.

The rock got its name from a legend about Hans Heiling and the petrified wedding. If you look at the rock formation with a lot of imagination, you should be able to recognize a wedding procession.

In 1933, the Hans Heiling Rock and its immediate surroundings were placed under nature protection.

After our short break we started our way back. First we walked along the road along the river. This path is really very easy and flat, so well suited for those who do not want to hike through the mountains.

When we arrived in the Doubí district of Karlovy Vary, we took a short detour to the Karlovy Vary Christmas House and Teddy Bear Museum. This visit should definitely be planned during a stay in Karlovy Vary. Not only is there Christmas spirit 365 days a year, but you can also discover 12,000 teddy bears.

Our way back led us after the visit first uphill again, but now into the forest. Already quite exhausted, we chose the most direct path through the forest. In doing so, we once again passed the game enclosures that we had already visited there during our hike around the Dianaturm.

The tour ended for us in the Old Slavic Restaurant with a beer. Looking back, the hike to Hans Heiling Rock was very nice. We didn’t exactly choose the easiest tour, but we were able to explore a beautiful area almost on our own.

Tip:
We have uesd the route along the Chep river a few days later on a weekend again on the road. Not only the excursion restaurant was very well attended, the route was also very used by walkers and cyclists. It was already real “excursion traffic” and although there were very few holidaymakers in the region (autumn 2020), it was almost too crowded for us. Who had the choice, should rather be on the road during the week and avoid the weekend.