Discover Vimperk: Castle, City Walls and Trails

Vimperk combines a multifaceted castle history with walking trails, viewpoints and excursions into the surrounding landscape. Those looking for accommodation for a cultural or active stay will find a variety of options here: historic fortifications, a tour of Vimperk Castle, a museum with 18 ways to explore the local history, and a 46.5-kilometre cycle route.

Castle History and Town History

Vimperk Castle was probably founded around the middle of the 13th century as a guard fortress above an ancient route from Bavaria to Bohemia. Haselburg was built in the 15th century as an outer fortification. The castle was a guard fortress, while Haselburg was an outer fortification. Both structures date from different centuries and belong to different types of fortification found in the town.

At Vimperk Castle, the “Middle Ages” tour explores the period when Vimperk, as a castle, guarded the Golden Trail. In addition, the Muzeum Vimperska offers 18 ways to get to know Vimperk and its surroundings. St Bartholomew’s Church also forms part of the town’s cultural character: it is Vimperk’s oldest sacred building.

Walks, Views and Fortifications

Vimperk’s late medieval town fortifications include six preserved bastions. This makes it possible to discover the town’s history not only indoors, but also along a tangible architectural monument. The Vycházkový okruh Vimperkem leads to a viewpoint with a panorama of Vimperk and its castle.

Several mountains serve as different landmarks in the landscape around the town, including Kamenná hora, Včelenský vrch, Boubín and Popelná hora. The Vycházkový okruh okolo Vimperka runs through the Volyňka valley along a red-marked cycle route to a large four-arch railway viaduct over the Klášterec valley. The ancient site of Chlumany is also located in the wider regional area around Vimperk.

A Longer Cycle Route Through the Surroundings

The Cyklotrasa Volyňka is 46.5 km long and has six rest areas for cyclists. At 46.5 kilometres, the route makes for a longer tour through the surrounding area. You should therefore allow more time for a day of cycling than for a stay focused on historical sites in the town. For families with different interests, this makes it easier to decide whether to dedicate a day primarily to local history, a walk or cycling.

Practical Information for Vimperk

The car park on Pivovarská Street is located below Vimperk Castle, opposite the grammar school. The information centre, castle, sights, shops and services are all within reach. The car park has 30 to 35 spaces. When choosing accommodation in Vimperk, the main consideration is therefore which combination you prefer for your stay: historical discoveries in the town, trails with views or a longer cycle tour in the surrounding area.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

As additional places in your broader travel plans, you can explore Račov, Lažiště, Strunkovice Nad Blanicí, Kristanovice, Dub U Prachatic, Kratušín, Trhonin and Žernovice .

For the broader travel overview: Prachatice District.