Along the Hamer Trail to the Pajndl Lookout Tower

This time we found ourselves in a village in the Karlovy Vary region, in the most preserved part of the Ore Mountains - in Nové Hamry. At the confluence of the Rolava River and the Bílý Potok in an altitude of 693 meters above sea level lies a picturesque village where everyone likes to return, whether for the forested and hilly valley, alpine and cross-country skiing, via ferratas, excellent cuisine, the tranquility of the nearby mountains, or all at once. There is an endless number of places to visit in the surroundings, but this time we chose an 8 km route with the goal at Tisovský Hill near the Pajndl lookout tower. As always, it proved to us once again that THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION...

From the central parking lot, we set off on the Hamerská Nature Trail, where at the first stop we learn, for example, that the first written records of tin mining in Nové Hamry are from 1556. Tin and iron ore were mined here on the slopes of Tisovský Hill and a new hammer mill was built under Dvorský Hill, after which the village got its name. The dominant feature of Hamry - the Church of St. John of Nepomuk, built in the late Baroque style, is certainly worth a short stop. On the left, we check the ski slope Nad kostelem and continue past the playground and houses you immediately want to move into towards the hills.

A bit above the charming Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, we turn right and continue along the forest path with occasional clearings between the trees offering views of the Hamerské Valley. At the shelter under Tisovský Hill, we could continue along the footbridge further on the nature trail, but we head straight, where after a few meters we connect to the yellow trail leading to Tisovský Hill. Here we meet the first smiling hikers and in their footsteps, we first reach the rock formation on Tisovský Hill and finally, after a few meters, the Pajndl lookout tower. From this direction, a cycle path also leads here, but the path further along the yellow trail from the lookout tower to the village is not suitable for regular bikes or strollers.

But we take a moment to relax at Pajndl, a 24-meter-high stone lookout tower built from local granite. After climbing 114 steps, you will be breathless at an altitude of 992 meters above sea level (if it’s clear). The stunning 360° view is dominated by the peaks of Klínovec, Fichtelberg, and the Doupov Mountains, to the southwest you can see the heights of the Slavkov Forest, the industrial areas of the Sokolov coal basin, and the towers of the pilgrimage Church in Chlum sv. Máří, the gateway to Chebsko. And in the far distance even the peaks of the Šumava mountains. After descending, you can even roast a treat on the fire behind a small rock.

We have only tea, as we are already looking forward to what the New Hamry cuisine will offer. The yellow tourist sign will lead us there, initially along a sloping, later a flat and easily walkable path, which among other things also crosses a railway track called "Ore Mountain Semmering" due to its mountainous nature. And our hungry steps eventually lead us to discover something new. The Restaurant and Hotel Schwarz, which opened in December, captivated us with its tasteful interior, great pancakes, coffee, friendly staff, and overall pleasant atmosphere.

We highly recommend Nové Hamry, check out our website and pick out your own tourist destinations, accommodation, and dining options in the area. It is worth a visit or even a longer vacation.

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