Kryštofovy Hamry lies in the valley of the Přísečnický potok at an elevation of 670 metres above sea level. The village combines a distinctive local history with hiking destinations and geologically unusual landforms. At the same time, the Přísečnice drinking-water reservoir imposes clear restrictions on access to the water: a route to a viewpoint above the reservoir does not mean that its shores are also accessible.
Local history between the church and an old route
The family home of Hilda Bartlová is an important historic building in Kryštofovy Hamry. The Church of St Christopher also shapes the village’s history: it was built between 1829 and 1832, and services are still held there today. If you would like to combine a visit with a service, check the schedule separately. The small mountain cemetery is maintained and preserves numerous German graves; as its condition can change, it is advisable to confirm before visiting.
The history extends beyond the village centre. Kryštofovy Hamry lies on a historic route that continued through Přísečnice and Vejprty to Saxony. In a forest near the village, Kryštof Grád from Grunberg built a hammer mill and named it “Hammer of St Christopher”. This tradition adds an earlier link to local working and settlement history to the architectural history of the church.
Volcanic rock, rock formations and the reservoir
Tertiary volcanic rock, identified as nephelinite, occurs on Jelení hora. The summit consists of dark porphyritic basalt-like rock with massive, irregular hexagonal columns and irregular transverse jointing. The Jelení hora rock formation and the three Špičáky also lie within the cadastral area of Černý Potok in the municipality of Kryštofovy Hamry; their steppe vegetation is particularly striking. Alongside local history, rock formations and vegetation are therefore distinct landscape themes.
The Přísečnice reservoir stores water as a source of drinking water for the North Bohemian brown-coal basin. The Eastern Ore Mountains Bird Protection Area, the Novodomské rašeliniště–Kovářská area and the Eastern Ore Mountains European protected area are located in its immediate vicinity. The shores of the drinking-water reservoir are not accessible. Check the current access rules before visiting, as they may change.
Hiking and planning your visit
The 11.1 km hiking route “From Kryštofovy Hamry to the viewpoint above the reservoir” starts in the village. There is a car park on the outskirts for this hike; confirm its availability before travelling. The route information also lists the Kryštofovy Hamry bus stop for those travelling by bus. Check the current timetable if you are planning your journey around it. Conditions on the route may also change, so it is worth checking for updates before setting out.
Another hiking theme is offered by the circular walk “Stories of vanished Přísečnice”, which starts at a car park in Kryštofovy Hamry. It is listed for EURORANDO 2026; participation depends on the specific event dates. Members of the Czech-German association Přísečnice žije – Pressnitz lebt accompany participants on the walk. Since 2016, the association has been documenting the local heritage of the vanished community. The two routes therefore differ in focus from the outset: one leads to the viewpoint above the reservoir, while the other explores the history of vanished Přísečnice.
If you are considering Kryštofovy Hamry as a place to stay, you can use its local history, geological features and varied hiking themes to help plan your visit. When looking for a holiday apartment, this can help you first decide which aspects of the village matter most for your trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Údlice, České Hamry, Strupčice, Háj, Pětipsy, Vysoká Pec U Jirkova, Rajov, Horní Halze.
For the overview of the wider travel region: Okres Chomutov.
