Wilkowitz: Round village, mineral spring and railway history

Wilkowitz (Vlkovice) appeals to travelers who want to discover village history, railway remnants and landscape as different facets of a place. The round village layout is still recognizable today; an orange-marked cycling route runs through the village, and a footpath leads to a mineral spring.

Village layout and historic routes

Wilkowitz is one of the old Teplá communities. A historic country road also ran from Žandov through Vlkovice. The village’s characteristic round layout is still recognizable today. Different historical perspectives therefore complement one another: its place among the old Teplá communities, the former route through the village and the settlement pattern that remains visible today. The village layout and the route represent two different aspects of local history.

Railway history in Wilkowitz

A specific date anchors the railway history: on December 17, 1898, the first two trains of the Karlovy Vary railway line, traveling from opposite directions, passed each other at Wilkowitz’s festively decorated station. The station gives this event a specific location. The VLKOVICKÝ TUNEL adds a structural element: the tunnel is 240 meters long and lies on the railway climb from Mariánské Lázně to Wilkowitz. A historic moment and a precisely named structure thus stand side by side—two different ways of approaching the railway history of the area.

Landscape, spring and cycling route

Wilkowitz lies in the Slavkovský les Protected Landscape Area. The Křovištní kyselka, a mineral spring accessible via a footpath, is also located in Vlkovice. A distinct bubbling of carbon dioxide with numerous bubbles can be observed at its surface. This brings together a specific natural attraction and the wider landscape setting of the protected area. The footpath is the stated access route to the spring; check conditions in advance, as access conditions can change.

The orange-marked cycling route No. 3 is 21 kilometers long, runs through Wilkowitz and is recommended for mountain bikes. Before reaching Wilkowitz, it passes through meadows and forests in the southern part of the Slavkovský les Protected Landscape Area. Check the route details before setting out, as trail conditions can change. Úšovice Street now serves as a shortcut for cyclists and pedestrians. The two lengths can be understood on different scales: the VLKOVICKÝ TUNEL is 240 meters long, while cycling route No. 3 is 21 kilometers in total. This makes the difference between a single structure and an entire route immediately tangible.

If you are weighing up these two ways of getting around, the difference is clear: a footpath leads to the Křovištní kyselka, while cycling route No. 3 is a 21-kilometer route recommended for mountain bikes. These details describe different ways to include nature and activity in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Cheb, Dolní Žandov, Skalná, Hohendorf - Abaschin, Hazlov, Libá, Vojtanov, Milíkov.

Return to the regional travel overview: Cheb District.