From Vejprty to Bärenstein

Embark on an international trip in the Ore Mountains! You can easily start the route from the Vejprty square, whether you are a driver using free parking or a proper tourist arriving by public transport.

Did you know that before the world wars, Vejprty had a population of about 13,000 and ranked as the 40th most populated town in the Czech lands? The demographic composition was, however, entirely different from today; in 1910, only 0.2% of the population were Czechs. The town was notable not only for lace-making and braid-making (an ancient craft dealing with the production of braids, tassels, fringes, rosettes, and many other products) but also for the production of gun barrels, later also ramrods and bayonets, thanks to the high-quality iron imported from the neighboring village of Kovářská.
Crossing the border nowadays is so easy that you may not even realize you're already in Germany. An outdoor timeline of historical photographs at the information center guides you around. Your journey then takes you between houses on the Saxon side to a nearby forest. Here, a network of intertwined trails leads you to the Talsperre Cranzahl drinking water reservoir, around which a beautiful asphalt path suitable for strollers or those interested in a less demanding circuit runs.

For those interested in a longer route, a gradual climb to the Bärenstein peak is an option, rewarding you with a stunning view over the meadow of two peaks of the Ore Mountains: Klínovec and Fichtelberg. Those who choose to drive up to the lookout hill will be pleased with the asphalt road and parking lot at the top. However, every visitor should undertake a short walking loop up there and take advantage of the 360° view from the four lookout points.

Endurers who continue on foot can head down towards the newly built bike path by the main road, cross the road, and behind the power plant house, run down the hill to the viaduct, which is very close to the Czech border. By the creek, you can spot border stones, and you are back in the motherland. The path leading above the Polava river might give you a sense of the past, thanks to remnants of houses from earlier times.

And as a reward for this walking performance over 10km, you will pass by the Hubertus rock with interesting monuments and informative signs. Then you will see the first residential houses, the railway station building, a restaurant, and you are back at the square.

• Print page