Plan a Journey from Karlovy Vary to SOOS Nature Reserve and Cheb

Plan a Journey from Karlovy Vary to SOOS Nature Reserve and Cheb - West Trek

West Trek Main Details
Trip Dates: Sun (April through October)
Meeting Time: 10:45 am
Departure Point: Karlovy Vary “Tržnice” Bus Stop (painted green) for long distance buses on Varšavská Street (placed between two crosswalks, the Market Hall being behind you)
Tour Duration: 7 hours (approximately)
Distance Covered: 115 km
Price: 750 CZK per person, 2 people minimum (1500 CZK)
Admission fees to SOOS Nature Reserve: 60 CZK, Cheb Castle: 30 CZK are included.

Tour overview
Our journey starts with a drive to the bizarre landscape of SOOS National Nature Reserve (open March through November). A 1, 2 km nature trail takes you along this peat bog with mineral springs rushing to the surface. You won’t miss the Emperor spring; its temperature varies between 14 to 18 degrees Celsius. Admire so called mofettes (mud volcanoes look-alikes), where water bubbles in mud due to carbon dioxide gas release. This natural phenomenon is a sign of post-volcanic activity. The dry salt lake bed is home to many water birds. Visit the SOOS Museum’s exhibition “The History of the Earth” with models of some prehistoric animals.

Moving on to Františkovy Lázně, walk the streets of the spa town (pop 5,500) mainly known for treatment of female infertility. It was founded under the name of Emperor Francis I at the end of the 18th century .The healing effects of today’s Francis spring were discovered in the 15th century. You notice that most of the buildings are painted yellow. Check out the wonderful parks with springs & statues and enjoy this slow-paced place. An option is to go for a swim in the town’s aqua park.

In Cheb (pop 33, 500), explore the historic center. This town sits on the Czech-Germany borderline and had predominantly German population until the end of World War II when the expulsion took place. At the bottom of the triangular main square look for two parallel blocks of merchants´ houses (total of eleven) from the 13th century. Another attraction from that time is the sizeable St Nicolas Church.
Cheb castle was built at the end of the 12th century (open April through November). It is a significant Romanesque monument of this country. With a palace mostly ruined, the best preserved parts include the Chapel of St Erhard & St Ursula and the Black tower. The red-brick fortification of the castle was carried out after the Thirty Years War in the second half of the 17th century for better protection.