The tastiest mineral waters are born in the heart of nature

Spring is a great time of year. It’s getting warmer outside, the sun is shining more and more, everything around is blooming and everything seems to be happier. In short, perfect weather for trips to the countryside. Perhaps to the mountains, to lakes and flooded quarries, to deep adits… But what about going against the tide? Go to the places where life springs to the surface. Go into the heart of nature. Explore the power and magic of nature’s springs.

In the Karlovy Vary Region there are unique mineral springs that heal visitors from all over the world. Their greatest concentration is located in the famous spa triangle. But let’s take a look at the ones that are not often written about. We are talking about the mineral springs that you will find in the heart of nature. You really don’t have to worry about getting a sour smile after tasting them.

Mineral waters are characterized by an increased content of dissolved CO2, which forms bubbles in the water and causes its characteristic acidity. It typically rises from depths of around 25-30 km, usually at the intersection of several tectonic faults. When it reaches layers containing water, it dissolves in it to form carbonic acid, which reacts much more effectively with the surrounding rocks than plain water. Mineral waters therefore contain more dissolved matter than normal water.

Kynžvart mineral sauer waters

Not far from Lázně Kynžvart in the Cheb region in western Bohemia, remarkable springs of sour water still spontaneously spring from the ground in the countryside, forests and meadows. After the Germans were expelled, these springs began to fade from awareness, becoming silted up and disappearing. Not only have the sour springs been discovered, but some of them have also been dug up, restored and made accessible. That is why you can go to two of them. They are called Fox Spring (I. and II.) and Boar Spring. Both springs are located on the nature trail called Kynžvart Mineral Sprins, the beginning of which is 1.5 km southeast of Lázně Kynžvart by the side road in the direction of Valy. The trail is approximately 2 km long and the paths to the springs are paved with wooden walkways.

The first one you will meet is called the Fox Spring, or more precisely, the Fox Springs. That’s because here a long time ago, probably in the 17th century, during excavations of the selection they discovered two strong springs near each other. In 2001, the acid springs were cleaned out and the stream, which used to flow in close proximity and often flooded the acid springs, was diverted. In 2007, a shelter was built over the springs and an access trail was improved.

The path leads you a little further along the stream mixed with water from the iron spring to another spring. This one is called Kančí (Boar´s). It is hard to guess why most mineral springs in the Cheb region are named after animals. Even the Kančí spring has been restored only recently. For many decades it was hidden in the ground under a layer of humus, but its existence was long revealed by leaking carbon dioxide. It was not until excavation work revealed the spring at a level 2 metres below ground level that an old wooden sump in the form of a barrel was found, to the surprise of all concerned. It is said to be the tastiest of the Kynzvart springs.

Farská mineral sauer water

Be sure not to miss the mineral springs Smraďoch and Farská mineral saue water. With spa porcelain cups in your backpack, head into the deep spruce forests and along the pretty forest paths you are soon at the forest peat bog, where the water of the pond bubbles with strong smelling hydrogen sulphide.

The Smraďoch Reserve lies in the area of a tectonic fault and the existence of the gases is a kind of last gasp of once massive tectonic activity. A little further on, you will find a stream coloured by iron oxides and iron bacteria to a deep orange colour, and next to the source of the Farský Spring you will find a similarly coloured pond. If it weren’t for the tall trees around, you’d feel like you were in Iceland.

Farská mineral sauer water is a tasty drinking spring that springs at an altitude of 767 metres in the forest between the village of Prameny and Mariánské Lázně. Farská water is one of the tastiest mineral waters in the area. The spring is located about 600 metres from the road and is also easily accessible to cyclists. It is covered by a wooden gazebo and provides a nice place to rest.

Springs in Prameny

Our journey will continue to the village with the characteristic name of Prameny, where we welcome nicely landscaped wells. Here you can taste three more sours – Giselin, Rudolf’s and Baroch’s spring. The local sour waters taste delicious and will come in handy in warm weather to quench your thirst, so be sure to stock up your bottles or cycling bidons.

The Baroch Spring rises on the right bank of the Pramenský Brook near the southwestern edge of the village of Prameny in the Slavkovský Forest. It is a freely accessible mineral spring named after one of its discoverers. The spring has been renovated thanks to the Living Wells project. The access road was modified, a new footbridge and a wooden structure was built to protect the spring from dirt. In addition, benches and information boards were added. This created a comfortable and peaceful place to sip the unique mineral water.

In the vicinity of the Baroch Spring, other mineral springs spring up on the left and right banks of the Pramenský Brook, of which Vincent’s Spring was the best known in the past. Unfortunately, it is completely devastated. The Rudolf and Gisela springs have been restored in the park of the former spa, about 300 metres from the Baroch spring. The springs are about 4 metres apart and their water is piped into a single tap. The bedrock and the surrounding basal rocks enrich the local springs with magnesium and iron, which is typical of the acid springs in the central part of the Slavkov Forest. The mineral water is of course drinkable, tasty and very refreshing.

In the vicinity of the Baroch Spring, other mineral springs spring up on the left and right banks of the Pramenský Brook, of which Vincent’s Spring was the best known in the past. Unfortunately, it is completely devastated. The Rudolf and Gisela springs have been restored in the park of the former spa, about 300 metres from the Baroch spring. The springs are about 4 metres apart and their water is piped into a single tap. The bedrock and the surrounding basal rocks enrich the local springs with magnesium and iron, which is typical of the acid springs in the central part of the Slavkov Forest. The mineral water is of course drinkable, tasty and very refreshing.