CZ, Gutštejn – Romantic Ruin in West Bohemia – VIDEO

Let's start in the romantic valley of the Úterský brook, in the places where Hadovka flows into it. The valley itself, especially towards Konstantinovy lázně, is one of the favorite excursion destinations, but this time let's go against the Hadovka stream.

The stream did not get its name by chance, the deep rocky valley with the landscape really twists like a snake and thus offers beautiful scenery. In one place you will cross a stream through a simple footbridge of two tribes and directly above you rises the massive walls of the former Gutštejn family castle.

Climb a narrow path to one of the entrances and let yourself be transported to the Middle Ages, at least in your imagination. The ruins are dominated by a massive tower with rounded corners, on the walls of which several small pines are already growing and wild thrush.

The tower was previously directly connected to the northern palace, a piece of which you can see the remains of the southern palace. At your own risk, you can also look into the cellars under the south palace with the remains of a gallery leading further into the rocks, probably due to access to water.

From the castle, return to the nearby crossroads back along the creek. This time, however, turn to the yellow tourist sign, which will take you to a view over the valley. From here, you will probably appreciate the ruins as a romantic part of the local landscape.

Just a short distance away you will have a view of the valley of the Úterský brook and the church Šipín on the other side. The path will then take you directly to the church and the adjacent hunting lodge, parish and school. The whole area is also unique in that there are several Slavic burial grounds and a Slavic fortified settlement used to stand on the Šipín hill itself.

Around the wooden chapel of the Virgin Mary you will then return to the place where you started. Alternatively, you can go around Gutštejn to the nearby hunting lodge Daňkov.
I definitely recommend combining the trip with a visit to the nearby Konstantinovy Lázně spa, Falštejn castle or the royal town of Stříbro.

GPS: 49°51'08.0"N 13°00'59.1"E

Text, photos and video: Matouš Vinš