Josefsdorf (Josefov) can be explored through a variety of themes: a marked circular trail connects natural and historical points of interest, a children’s educational trail offers two route lengths, and Hartenberg Castle reflects the history of the village. Other attractions include a Baroque chapel, traces of medieval mining and named cycling routes. This gives you different aspects to consider for your stay without reducing the hiking and cultural offerings to a single attraction.
Hiking trails: comparing route lengths
The circular hiking trail in Josefov is 10.5 kilometres long and marked with yellow hiking signs. It has 23 stops, including natural attractions, viewpoints, commemorative trees and places connected with the history of Josefov and its surroundings. If you want to experience natural points of interest and local history on the same route, you’ll find both here. Individual stops may change over time.
The educational children’s trail in Josefov offers a short version of 5.5 kilometres and a long version of 10.5 kilometres. There are playful activities at seven stops. Comparing the lengths directly, the short version is the shortest of the routes mentioned; the long version and the circular trail are both 10.5 kilometres long. This makes it easier to choose a route without treating the two trails as the same.
Hartenberg Castle and the history of Josefov
The history of Josefov is closely connected with Hartenberg Castle. According to historical records, the castle was founded in 1196 on the right bank of the Svatava, near an important trade route from Erfurt. The river and trade route give this historical connection a specific geographical setting.
The main palace houses a permanent exhibition on ministerial castles. There is an important practical condition for visiting: the castle is accessible only as part of a guided tour. Seasonal visiting arrangements may change, so check in advance which tours are available on your planned date. If you plan to make the castle visit a fixed cultural highlight, take this condition into account.
The chapel and traces of mining
The Chapel of St. Joseph was built in the Baroque style. It was restored with grants from the Karlovarský kraj and partly with the help of a public fundraising campaign. In contrast to the castle, the chapel’s Baroque architecture and its restoration, supported by public funding and donations, are the main focus.
A trail near Josefov lets visitors see surviving remains of medieval mining. These include numerous adits, collapsed shafts, mining depressions, lines of mining depressions and barren spoil heaps. This outing focuses on the different forms of historical mining traces in the landscape, complementing the buildings and local history with another theme.
Cycling routes and excursions in the countryside
Cycling route 2178 passes through Josefov along the road towards Krajková. Cycling route 2179 follows the Habartov–Josefov–Hřebeny road connection. The two routes can be distinguished by their stated corridors: route 2178 heads towards Krajková, while route 2179 connects Habartov, Josefov and Hřebeny.
Another viewpoint in the landscape is the Cibulka lookout tower on Ĺ ibeniÄŤnĂ vrch near OlovĂ. It is freely accessible year-round and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. This adds a viewpoint with a distinct focus to the hiking trails, cycling routes and historical sites.
About three kilometres from Josefov, Lake Medard is still being filled as part of the reclamation of the mining area. The area is currently a temporarily protected site and serves as a refuge for waterbirds. The landscape there is still changing. Check the current conditions and protection status before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Luh nad Svatavou, Neusattl, Neudorf bei Tepl, Daßnitz, Bleistadt, Elbogen, Zwodau, Königsberg a. d. Eger.
Back to the regional travel overview: Falkenau an der Eger District.
