Chotovice U Nového Boru – Nature, History and Trails

Chotovice U Nového Boru combines nature experiences, local history, and trails through the surrounding area. The character of the village is particularly vividly reflected in the Čapí naučná stezka nature trail in the Franze Hantschela Forest Park. The walk leads through nature and focuses on storks and the surrounding environment. This draws attention not only to a single viewpoint, but also to the connection between the landscape and the themes that shape this nature trail.

A Nature Experience with Practical Guidance

If you would like to include the Čapí Nature Trail in your day’s plans, there is a designated place to obtain the competition card: it is available at Chotovická hospůdka u Lázní from Wednesday to Sunday from 2 p.m. onward. This time information is part of the practical guidance for visiting the nature trail. The nature walk itself focuses on storks and their surroundings, while the Franze Hantschela Forest Park provides the local setting.

Chapel, Spa and Crafts

An important cultural and historical landmark is the Chapel of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. It is a listed building in Chotovice and was built in 1776. The chapel was also added to the heritage register in 1965. Its construction year and its protected heritage status are therefore both documented as part of the village’s history.

Chotovice also has a documented spa history. The spa operated until 1945 and used an iron-rich water source as well as peat extracted near Červený rybník (Red Pond) by Pihel. These details point to the historical use of local resources, without suggesting that the village today has a spa that is still in operation.

Chotovice’s craft heritage is also part of its story: at the end of the 19th century, two glass-grinding mills were operating on the Chotovický potok in the cadastral area. Dr. Franz Hantschel, a physician and local historian, is another well-known figure associated with the village. He is described as the most famous son of Chotovice to date.

Hiking and Cycling Around Chotovice

Chotovice can also be explored via cycling and hiking routes. The Skalická cycling circuit passes through the village and adds to the options for a trip in which cycling plays a role. For hikers, the “From Nový Bor to Sloup” route is of interest: it leads to Chotovice and through the village, offering insights into the preserved traditional vernacular architecture of the Lusatian region.

When choosing accommodation, you can therefore first consider which focus is most important for your stay: a nature walk along the Čapí Nature Trail, learning about the chapel and spa history, or a route on foot and by bicycle. Chotovice offers specific points of interest for these different interests, without reducing its sights to a single type of visit.

More Places to Explore

If you would like to continue your search beyond Chotovice, you can also explore Vrchovany, Radvanec, Tuhan, Marenice, Provodín, Ralsko, Jestřebí U České Lípy and Tachov.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Česká Lípa.