Vimperk Circuit

Total length

9.3 km

Duration

3 hours 30 minutes

Terrain

Paved road, forest path, asphalt, cobblestones.

Difficulty level

An easy route suitable for families with older children.

Marking

Yes

Route description

The walking tour starts just past the railway crossing by the historic Solar waterworks, where three trails begin: the educational trail Through the Valley of Vimperk Monuments (NS Údolím vimperských památek), the Golden Trail (NS Zlatá stezka), and the newly created Forest Elves Trail designed for families with children. After 2.5 km, at the crossroads of the Valley trail and the Golden Trail about 250 m before the village of Klášterec, continue on the Valley trail and proceed into the village to the Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Here you can rest at a tourist shelter and refresh yourself for the next leg.

From Klášterec, you’ll head to the Klášterec Viaduct, one of the most romantic spots in the Vimperk area. Just beyond the viaduct, you’ll find the Klášterec Spring inside a charming little wooden hut — interestingly, this spring provides drinkable and very tasty water.

From the spring and viaduct, head back (3.3 km) toward the western part of the town to visit the Stations of the Cross, located on a low wooded hill above the Vodník Restaurant. Next, continue to the Vimperk Castle, which will be undergoing renovations until 2020. If the castle visit is not possible, head to the unique Vimperk Arboretum (700 m), home to many valuable plants and trees. You also can’t miss the tour of the town walls with the Black Tower and the view of the town from beneath the castle (700 m). Finally, at the end of your journey, walk (340 m) to Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody) past the fabulous Cukrárna pod zámkem pastry shop. On the square, you’ll find the Vimperk Information Center, where you can inquire about visiting the Steinbrener Printing House — a great way to end your day with an adventure in the form of a unique escape game dedicated to the history of Vimperk’s printing.

Interesting places on the route

Forest Elves Trail — Just past the railway tracks by the historic Solar waterworks begins the family-friendly Forest Elves Trail (1.5 km), marked with special elf symbols. Along the trail, you’ll encounter seven informational panels, little houses with stamps, giant rabbits, stump elves, elf cottages, and discovery games for both kids and adults. Near the last elf, Bukovník, you’ll find small art supplies for decorating the elves made from cones, bark, moss, pebbles, or twigs.

Klášterec Viaduct — Nestled above the Arnošt Creek, near its confluence with the Volyňka River, you’ll discover a rare technical monument from 1900. Here, four arches made of unplastered stone blocks span the railway bridge on the Volary–Strakonice line.

Vimperk Stations of the Cross — On a small wooded hill above the Vimperk hospital, a series of 14 stations winds sharply in serpentine curves. The Stations of the Cross in Vimperk were established thanks to Johann Steinbrener.

 State Castle Vimperk — Towering majestically above the town, Vimperk Castle dates back to the 13th century. Interestingly, it was originally built in a deserted border forest stretching for dozens of kilometers south to the national border, making the castle a kind of herald of human presence in this remote region.

Arboretum — In this historically valuable dendrological garden in the middle of town, you’ll find more than 400 trees and shrubs. The Arboretum once served as an educational site for students of the local forestry school. Today, it offers a peaceful and educational zone, complete with wooden sculptures of fairy-tale characters. 

Town Walls — Vimperk’s town walls were built at the end of the 15th century and connected to the fortifications of the castle of that time. A substantial portion of the walls and bastions have survived to this day, despite the town having been besieged twice.

Town Belfry — This late Gothic belfry dates from the early 16th century. Its most important feature was the set of bells that announced regular, special, and extraordinary events in the town. Interestingly, in 2010, the Maria Hilf bell was successfully returned to the belfry.

Steinbrener Printing House — The Steinbrener Printing House is a logic-based escape game located in the original cellar of the old Vimperk town hall. The entire game offers a glimpse into the history of Vimperk’s book printing, the era when the scent of printer’s ink promised far-off lands, and when products from the Vimperk press were known worldwide.