Abertham (Abertamy) is a mining town in the Ore Mountains. Wooded mountain slopes shape the surrounding landscape, and the town’s history spans mining and glove-making. Visitors looking to combine culture and nature in one stay will find both here: insights into the local past and educational trails through forests and across the heights.
Mining and Glove-Making
Abertamy was founded as a mining settlement because of its silver and tin deposits and was later elevated to the status of a royal mining town. The Muzeum Abertamy is dedicated both to the mining past and to the craft tradition of glove-making. Its exhibition includes around 300 items relating to the production of leather gloves, as well as a multimedia area with a time machine. Another exhibition on mining history features minerals, most of them from the Jáchymov region. Check which exhibition elements are currently on display before visiting.
The Church of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (“Čtrnácti sv. pomocníků”) also tells the story of the town’s early history: the town of Jáchymov had it built in 1534 on the village square of the newly founded mining settlement of Abertamy. It was remodelled in the Baroque style between 1735 and 1738. Its floor plan comprises a partially recessed prismatic tower, a single-nave nave and a five-sided chancel. The building thus reveals both the town’s early founding history and a later phase of remodelling.
Vila Felicitas is a listed immovable cultural monument owned by the town of Abertamy. The exceptionally well-preserved building retains numerous original features. Access may be tied to scheduled programmes rather than available at all times; check in advance whether a visit is planned for your preferred dates.
Educational Trails Around Abertham
Three educational trails are designed for walkers and hikers. The Plešivec educational trail is 8 km long and passes through wooded terrain to the 1,028 m-high Plešivec. It then follows the valley of the small Bystřice river back to Abertamy. The route description thus combines an ascent to a named summit with a return through the valley.
The Hřebečná educational trail begins about 800 m from the square in Abertamy, along a green-marked hiking route towards Plešivec. It is 3.8 km long, with an additional 11 km extension around Bludná. At the Lom Hřebečná stop, the route description highlights a distinctive volcanic rock ridge with columnar jointing, as well as protected plant and animal communities.
The 7 km-long “17 abertamųských zastavení” educational trail follows in the footsteps of Alexander Wüst, a photographer from Abertamy who ran a photography school. Together with the route details for Plešivec and Hřebečná, the distances provide a practical guide for choosing a walk without specifying how long it takes. Check the trail markers and current route conditions before setting out.
Hiking, Cycling and Winter Sports
There are numerous hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing trails around Abertham, as well as routes for cycling trips. Cross-country ski trails are groomed in winter; whether and how they are tracked depends on seasonal conditions. For downhill skiing, consider the Plešivec ski area near Abertamy. Its operation depends on snow conditions and the ski area’s current operating schedule.
The mining heritage also extends beyond the town. The Abertamy–Boží Dar–Horní Blatná Mining Landscape, which includes Abertamy and the mining settlement of Hřebečná, is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Further afield is Důl Mauritius, a national cultural monument and the largest tin mine in the Czech Ore Mountains. The Kryštof adit at Důl Mauritius is open to the public from May to September. Check the current visitor season and whether booking is required in advance.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Hřebečná, Bärringen, Großfürwitz, Hochofen, Töppeles, Lichtenstadt, Karlsbad, Klein-Werscheditz
Return to the main travel overview: Karlsbad District.
