Discover Gottesgab: peat bog, cross-country trails and mining history

Gottesgab (Boží Dar) is shaped by its peat bog, mining history, and winter and summer sports. In the 20th century, the town developed from a lively medieval mining town with 2,000 residents into an important center for winter and summer sports. Different interests can therefore guide your trip planning: nature trails, technical reminders of mining, urban cultural history, or cross-country trails.

Peat bog and nature trail

The Božídarské rašeliniště nature trail passes through part of the Božídarské rašeliniště National Nature Reserve. The area is designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The trail is 3.2 km long and runs mostly along boardwalks. These protect visitors, the peat bog, and the rare plants and animals found there. Twelve information panels cover the environment, the peat bog’s distinctive features, and the history of peat extraction in the Ore Mountains. Along the same route, you can experience both the natural landscape of the bog and its historical use.

Trails with different uses

Ježíškova cesta can be used year-round on foot, with a stroller, and by bicycle; in winter, it is also intended for cross-country skiing. If you plan to take the route in the cold season, check the specific trail conditions beforehand.

The Blatenský příkop offers a different theme. The nature trail there follows an approximately 12 km-long canal and has 23 stops. It begins about 1.5 km beyond Boží Dar and ends near Horní Blatná. The approximate distance to the starting point and the destination provide a sense of location for your planning; the stops are part of the nature trail along the canal.

Mining history in town and countryside

The Muzeum Boží Dar displays minerals from the Ore Mountains, equipment for mining and peat extraction, and nativity scenes. The objects on display also include a bell from 1594, described as the town’s oldest movable monument. The Church of St. Anne in Boží Dar provides another point of cultural and historical interest: this Baroque building with Neoclassical features was built in 1772 on the site of a demolished Renaissance church and contains a pewter baptismal font.

The Blatenský příkop is a unique technical cultural monument. Its water system supplied the mines in the Ore Mountains, and later industrial facilities, with the water they needed. The canal thus links the route along the nature trail with a specific function of the historic water system.

The broader mining history is represented by the UNESCO mining landscape of Abertamy–Boží Dar–Horní Blatná. Surface and underground mining monuments, particularly near Zlatý Kopec by Boží Dar, document iron mining there from the 16th to the 20th century. This includes mining from quartz veins containing hematite as well as from skarn deposits containing magnetite.

Cross-country trails, mountain biking and planning your visit

There are four cross-country trails in the Boží Dar–Špičák area, with lengths of 2, 7, 10 and 20 km. There is also a 7 km trail for skating technique. The area can be reached from Boží Dar via the Krušnohorská magistrála. The trail lengths help you compare the different routes; they vary considerably in distance.

The Boží trail near Boží Dar was established in 2003 and renovated in 2020. The mountain bike route features steep turns, jumps and tables; it is suitable for beginners and also appeals to advanced riders. As trail conditions can change, check the latest situation before setting out. A reservation and advance ticket purchase are required to visit the Štola Johannes mine. You can get your ticket at the Boží Dar information center or through the online reservation system. Check the official booking information before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Ryzovna, Horní Blatná, Welchau, Neudek, Donawitz, Buchau, Merkelsgrün, Lichtenstadt.

For the broader travel overview: Karlovy Vary District.