Kynšperk nad Ohří: Cycling and Town History

Kynšperk nad Ohří between River and Basin

Kynšperk nad Ohří stretches along both banks of the Ohře. Here, the river crosses the eastern part of the Eger Basin before entering the hilly terrain between the Eger and Sokolov basins. This setting gives Kynšperk nad Ohří a distinct landscape. The varied terrain offers opportunities for hiking, water sports and cycling. If you are looking for a hotel in Kynšperk nad Ohří, it is therefore worth deciding first what you want to focus on during your trip: will the cycling route, the town’s history or its brewing traditions be the deciding factor? These themes offer different ways to shape your stay around your interests.

Cycling along the Ohře

One specific option is the 56-kilometre stage of the Ohře Cycle Route (Cyklostezka Ohře). It runs from Cheb via Kynšperk nad Ohří and Sokolov to Karlovy Vary. The route mostly follows dedicated cycle paths and quiet side roads; most of it is paved. As surfaces may vary locally, it is advisable to check current route conditions before setting out. This gives you a concrete way to plan the stage as part of your trip. The varied terrain also offers opportunities for hiking and water sports. If you are weighing a planned cycling route against other outdoor activities, these different interests can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Town history at the gate, church and square

The Kynšperská branka is a two-storey town gate whose present form dates from the 16th century. A half-timbered and log-built extension stands beside it and once served as a Jewish prayer room. The gate thus brings together the architectural history of the town gate and the former use of the extension.

The Evangelical Church of the Redeemer was completed and consecrated on 8 December 1905, based on plans by the Stuttgart architects Eisenlohr and Weigle. It is an unusually stylistically pure example of Neo-Romanesque architecture. The church has been used by the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren since 1946. If you are planning a visit, check local access arrangements separately.

The two-storey Panský dům, a Baroque building, stands at the upper end of 5. května Square (Market Square). In 1586, the building was constructed as a Renaissance town hall. These two details offer different insights into its history: its former function as a town hall and its present architectural form.

The Kynšperský hrad castle on Zámecký vrch is also part of the town’s history, and was probably quite small. Archaeological research dates the origins of the probably quite small castle to the 13th century. The abandoned castle later became a ruin, and its masonry was gradually taken away for use in construction. This makes it possible to distinguish the early castle, whose size remains uncertain, from its later development.

Brewing history and a tour

The brewing tradition of Kynšperský pivovar dates back to 1595. That year, Emperor Rudolf II granted the town of Kynšperk nad Ohří the right to brew independently. This historical reference has a clear date; a tour offers another way to get to know the brewery. It lasts about 40 minutes and includes a beer tasting. Check the current arrangements for tours before your visit.

For planning your day, the tour and the cycling stage can be considered in terms of their different scales: an approximate duration is given for the tour, while the route covers 56 kilometres. If you are considering both, plan them as separate activities. Alternatively, focus on the town’s history and choose the historical topics that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Zwodau, Douglasgrün, Neudorf bei Tepl, Daßnitz, Schönfeld, Unterreichenau, Habersbirk, Bleistadt.

Return to the wider travel overview: Falkenau District on the Eger.