King Edward's Trail: 5.7 km in the footsteps of Edward VII

A trail named after a king

Edward VII came to Marienbad nine times — in 1897, 1899 and then every year from 1903 to 1909, usually for three to four weeks in August. He gave the town much of its international reputation, and he is remembered today in the Royal Cabin at the New Baths and in the golf course that came into being in his day. You can read more about the royal regular and his meetings in our piece on the famous guests of Marienbad.

King Edward's Trail brings that era back into the landscape. The hotel newspaper of the Ensana houses describes it as a walking trail "in the footsteps of the English king", with fine views over the town and its surroundings. Where exactly Edward himself walked cannot be traced step by step after more than a hundred years; the route takes up paths and destinations that are associated with his stays. As an idea for half a day in the woods it is none the less appealing.

At a glance

• Length: 5.7 kilometres
• Elevation difference: more than 200 metres
• Start: Dusíkova Street by the New Baths (Nové Lázně), the recommended starting point
• Finish: Hotel Koliba, in the valley below Hotel Krakonoš
• Character: forest paths, viewpoints, a deer enclosure and a miniature park — with a few climbs, so a walk for proper shoes rather than Sunday best
• Shortcut: the cabin cable car can take you up to Hotel Krakonoš if you prefer to skip the ascent
• Time: allow half a day if you plan to linger at the stops

The stops

1. The New Baths and Dusíkova Street

The trail starts in the town centre, by the Nové Lázně hotel. This is the house with the Royal Cabin associated with Edward VII. From here the path climbs into the spa forest.

2. Charles Cross

Above the New Baths stands the wooden Charles Cross (Karlův kříž). It commemorates Abbot Karl Kaspar Reitenberger, the founder of the town, and offers the classic view over the spa valley. It is the first reward of the walk — and a good place to catch your breath.

3. Goethe's Resting Place

On the slope of Hamelika stands a sandstone obelisk with stone benches, dating from 1849. Goethe is said to have liked sitting here; the base carries lines from his "Wanderer's Night Song". You can read more about the poet and his Marienbad summers in In Goethe's Footsteps Through Marienbad.

4. Hamelika lookout tower

The stone tower of 1876 rises above the spa quarter. Climb it and you see the rooftops of Marienbad and the wooded hills of the Slavkov Forest. The forest park with the paths to Hamelika belongs to the Marienbad component of the UNESCO site — more on our page about the UNESCO World Heritage listing.

5. Deer enclosure and Boheminium Park

Beyond the enclosure with red and fallow deer, Boheminium Park invites a visit: miniature models of well-known Czech landmarks. A good stop if you are walking with grandchildren. Boheminium is also described on our day trips page.

6. Hotel Krakonoš

According to the official description of the route, this Art Nouveau hotel was a favourite destination of Edward's afternoon walks. It later became known for the monumental statue of the mountain spirit Krakonoš in front of the house. Down in the valley, at Koliba, the cabin cable car begins that carries you up to the hotel; it runs from April to October every 15 minutes. Please check times and fares on the spot, as they change from season to season. There is an overview on the page Cabin Cable Car to Krakonoš.

7. The oldest golf course in Bohemia

The path leads on to the Royal Golf Club. The club was founded in 1904 and the nine-hole course was opened on 21 August 1905 in the presence of King Edward VII; the club has borne the title "Royal" since 2003. According to the club's president, Edward VII did not play golf himself; the course came into being at his instigation because many of the men he wanted to meet in Marienbad regarded the game as a pleasant addition to their stay. You can read it in the interview about the Royal Golf Club. For the course and the clubhouse, see our page on golf in Marienbad.

8. Through the trout-stream valley to Koliba

From the golf course the way leads downhill through the valley of the Pstruží potok (Trout Stream), past small, romantic ponds, to Hotel Koliba, where the trail ends. The car park at Hotel Koliba is in Dusíkova Street too — the street where the route begins — which helps with planning if you arrive by car.

Practical tips

• Footwear and weather: sturdy shoes are worth it, because forest paths are slippery after rain. In winter, take climbs and descents with care.
• Finding your way: the official description includes no map. For current walking maps and information on waymarking, ask at the tourist information office or at your hotel reception.
• Shortcut by cable car: if you would rather avoid the climb to Krakonoš, ride up by cable car and walk the route in the opposite direction, downhill.
• Refreshments and opening times: opening times of Boheminium, the cable car and the cafés and restaurants vary with the season; please check beforehand.
• More paths: other walks and hikes around the town are described in The 5 Best Walks in Marienbad and Hiking and Nature Trails Around Marienbad.

By the end of the day you may share a feeling Edward VII would probably have recognised: Marienbad is a town best appreciated by leaving it for a few hours — and then coming back down into its valley.

Sources

Studies and official documents this article relies on. Our content does not replace medical advice.

1. Marienbad News 2/2025 (autumn 2025) — article "King Edward's Trail" (Ensana Health Spa Hotels) — Printed edition of the hotel newspaper (CZ/DE/EN), official description of the route: length 5.7 km, elevation difference of more than 200 m, recommended starting point Dusíkova Street at the Nové Lázně, the stops and the cable-car alternative. The issue carries no map of the route.
2. Royal Golf Club Mariánské Lázně — club history — Club founded 1904, course opened on 21 August 1905 in the presence of King Edward VII; the "Royal" title since 2003.
3. Town Museum of Mariánské Lázně — exhibition — King Edward VII visited Marienbad nine times (1897, 1899 and 1903–1909).

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