Hochofen – Educational Trail, Nature and Traces of History

If you would like to combine walking experiences, nature observations and historical traces in Hochofen, several clearly distinct themes come together. The Vysoká Pec–Rudné educational trail is 9 km long and includes 12 information boards. Along the route, the boards convey regional history, placing a continuous route with historical content at the center. Rare wetland plants grow in the nature reserve in Vysoká Pec, especially round-leaved sundew. By contrast, the Šafránová louka is home to the highly endangered white-flowered crocus. The sacred history extends from the former site of the Stricke Chapel to the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Rudné. The educational trail forms the continuous route theme; the plant habitats are located at two natural sites, while the sacred history connects the former chapel site with the church. Those who prefer a continuous route should follow the educational trail. Those who wish to consider nature and culture as separate focal points will find the plant sites and historic sacred traces suited to this purpose.

Educational Trail and Rudenský Watercourse

The Rudenský Watercourse is still largely preserved today and extends for 12 km. It was constructed around the middle of the 16th century to bring water from the Chaloupky Valley for the processing of tin ore. Along the educational trail, the focus is on regional history; the Rudenský Watercourse concerns the former water supply for tin ore processing. Those who wish to combine exercise and regional history should follow the educational trail. Those who instead choose the historical processing of tin ore as their focus should turn their attention to the watercourse. The watercourse thus connects the Chaloupky Valley as the water source with the former processing of tin ore.

Wetlands and Šafránová louka

Nature also has specific features in Vysoká Pec. The nature reserve in Vysoká Pec protects rare wetland plants, especially round-leaved sundew. It was designated in 1995 in part of the municipality.

The highly endangered white-flowered crocus grows on the Šafránová louka. The meadow was registered as a significant landscape feature in 1999.

Historic Sacred Traces

The former Stricke Chapel recalls a religious past that is now visible only in remnants. It was demolished in the 1950s; only overgrown remains of the walls near two maple trees have survived. The chapel stood on the old road from Liščí kout (Fox Corner) to Nové Hamry. In the past, processions led from there to the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Rudné.

The Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Rudné has a high altar, two opposing side altars and a pulpit. The high altar is pseudo-Romanesque; the two opposing side altars and the pulpit are classified as Rococo.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to visit other destinations in addition to Hochofen, you will find Donawitz, Bergstadt Platten, Schönwald, Dallwitz, Luditz, Ottowitz, Engelhaus and Karlsbad here: Donawitz, Bergstadt Platten, Schönwald, Dallwitz, Luditz, Ottowitz, Engelhaus and Karlsbad.

For the higher-level travel overview: Karlsbad District.