Gottesgab – Moorland, Cross-Country Skiing and Mining History

Gottesgab combines the landscape of the Ore Mountains with traces of mining and a variety of routes for active days. Around Boží Dar, an internationally significant wetland, historic water systems, museums and a strong cross-country skiing tradition lie close together. This allows you to combine nature, culture and exercise without losing sight of the character of the place.

Moorland with an Educational Trail

The Božídarské rašeliniště educational trail leads through part of the Božídarské rašeliniště National Nature Reserve. Under the Ramsar Convention, the reserve has been designated a wetland of international importance. The educational trail is 3.2 kilometres long and runs mostly along boardwalks. These protect visitors, the peat bog and the rare plants and animals found there. Twelve information panels explain the environment and the special features of the peat bog, as well as the history of peat extraction in the Ore Mountains.

Routes for Various Activities

Ježíškova cesta can be used year-round on foot, with a pushchair and by bicycle; in winter, the route can also be used on cross-country skis. For winter sports, the Boží Dar–Špičák area offers four cross-country ski trails measuring 2, 7, 10 and 20 kilometres, as well as a 7-kilometre trail for the skating technique. From Boží Dar, this area can be reached via the Krušnohorská magistrála.

Mining and Local History

The Muzeum Boží Dar displays minerals from the Ore Mountains, equipment for mining and peat extraction, as well as nativity scenes. Among the special exhibits is a bell from 1594, described as the town’s oldest movable monument. The Church of St. Anne is a Baroque building with Classical features. It was built in 1772 on the site of a demolished Renaissance church and contains a tin baptismal font.

Industrial Monuments in the Ore Mountains

The Blatenský příkop is a unique technical cultural monument. Its water system initially supplied the mines in the Ore Mountains and later industrial facilities with the water they needed. The associated educational trail follows a canal approximately 12 kilometres long and has 23 stations. It begins about 1.5 kilometres beyond Boží Dar and ends near Horní Blatná. With its above-ground and underground mining monuments, the UNESCO mining landscape of Abertamy–Boží Dar–Horní Blatná documents iron mining from the 16th to the 20th century, particularly at Zlatý Kopec near Boží Dar. This includes extraction from quartz veins containing hematite and from skarn deposits containing magnetite.

Winter and Summer Sports in Gottesgab

In the 20th century, Boží Dar developed from a lively medieval mining town with 2,000 inhabitants into an important centre for winter and summer sports. In addition to the cross-country ski trails, there is the Boží trail near Boží Dar, a mountain bike trail created in 2003 and renovated in 2020, with banked turns, jumps and tables. It is suitable for beginners and also appeals to advanced bikers.

Visiting the Štola Johannes Mine

Advance reservation is required to visit the Štola Johannes mine. The admission ticket must be purchased in advance at the Boží Dar Information Centre or through the online reservation system. This arrangement is part of planning a day focused on culture, as is deciding whether to focus your stay more on the protected moorland, the historic monuments or the sports activities.

For the overarching travel overview: Karlovy Vary District.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Gießhübl-Sauerbrunn, Breitenbach, Theusing, Welchau, Horn, Sankt Joachimsthal, Uitwa.

More Destinations in Gottesgab

More places for travel planning:

Ryzovna.