Loket Hostels

Like something out of a fairy tale, Loket perches above a sharp bend of the Ohře River in the Czech Republic, nearly surrounded by water. Loket's more famous cousin, Český Krumlov, captures the majority of the tourist traffic; there's not a lot to actually do here in town, but it's a lovely place to relax and immerse yourself in nature.

Wandering the historic center is pleasant, but it won't take long; nice routes include the old town wall and the stretch of houses down by the river, just to admire the gardens on the banks. Across the dizzyingly high bridge, festooned with hanging flower baskets, you can descend to the park along the river, where passing canoers and kayakers will wave and call out friendly greetings in Czech.

You can tour the town's castle, but it's probably more enjoyable to simply wander around looking for new viewpoints of the impressive Gothic fortification. Don't miss the view of it illuminated at night, reflected in the river.

The town is also a center for nice hiking; for a quick jaunt, cross the big bridge and head left along the road until a trail splits off on the right side of the road. The path leads through a bright green forest to various viewpoints where Loket shows itself to full advantage. Follow the trail down along a creek and back to the river, where you can cross into Loket over a wobbly pedestrian bridge. A longer but easy hike takes you to Svatošské Scaly, an interesting cluster of rock formations right by the river.

You can also rent canoes or kayaks and float to Karlovy Vary. Beware that the river has many weirs (small dams/waterfalls) to regulate the flow. You'll have to get out and portage. If you're inexperienced, don't go alone.

Choices for hostels in Loket are limited but you will be centrally located and your Loket hostel will be full of good information. If you're looking for wild nightlife or great museums, Loket isn't the place for you, but if you're in the mood for some relaxation in a beautiful locale, Loket is perfect.