Krušnohorský Semmering

Krušnohorský Semmering is the scenic mountain section of one of the highest railway lines in Czechia. Its name nods to Austria's famous Semmering Railway, the pioneering Alpine mountain railway completed in 1854. The Ore Mountains version was built in two stages: the line from Chodov through Nová Role to Nejdek opened in 1881, and the technically demanding mountain section from Nejdek through Nové Hamry and Pernink to the Czech-German border at Potůčky followed in 1897-1899.

Today the route links Karlovy Vary with Johanngeorgenstadt in Germany and covers 47.2 km in total. The heart of the Krušnohorský Semmering is the 15 km section between Nejdek and Pernink, where trains climb 365 metres by adhesion alone, without a rack system. Gradients reach up to 30 per mille, a serious feat of late 19th-century railway engineering.

Engineering Highlights

The line passes through three tunnels with a combined length of more than 500 metres. The largest, Novohamerský tunnel, is 252 metres long and cuts through the Ore Mountains massif at more than 800 m above sea level.

The star of the route is the Pernink viaduct, a stone arched bridge with six openings and a height of 20 metres. At 902 m above sea level it is the highest structure of its kind on the Czech Railways network. In winter it becomes a beautiful landmark above the ski slopes; in any season it is one of the most photogenic railway scenes in the Ore Mountains.

Another rarity is the Nové Hamry loop. Here the train swings through a curve with a radius of only 180 metres, turning back towards the opposite direction so it can keep gaining height. From the carriage window, the landscape seems to reappear from a different angle, which is exactly the kind of moment that makes this ordinary local line feel like an attraction in its own right.

Riding the Line

The best way to experience the Krušnohorský Semmering is to board a regular Czech Railways passenger train on the Karlovy Vary - Potůčky route. Services run year-round. The Nejdek - Potůčky section takes about 1.5 hours at an unhurried pace, with views into the Rolava valley, deep side valleys and towards the German side of the mountains.

Pernink station, at 902 m above sea level, is the second-highest railway station in Bohemia and a good starting point for walks. From here you can head towards Bílá skála, Dračí skála or the marked trails around Pernink.

Practical Information

The line is accessible year-round as an active railway. Summer brings green mountain scenery and long valley views; winter adds snowy slopes and a direct view of the viaduct above the ski area. You only need a valid Czech Railways ticket, with no special fare or seat reservation for regular services. Check current timetables before setting out, especially for connections across the border.

For the best view of the Nové Hamry loop, get off at Nové Hamry and photograph it from the slope, then continue by a later train. Travelling from Karlovy Vary, seats on the left side usually give the stronger view of the loop and viaduct.

Directions and Contacts

• Operator: České dráhy, a.s.
• Timetables and tickets: cd.cz, phone +420 972 111 111
• Boarding stations: Karlovy Vary dolní nádraží or Nejdek
• Pernink viaduct GPS: 50.363, 12.774
• Address: Nádražní, 362 36 Pernink
• Tourist Information Centre Nejdek: náměstí Karla IV. 239, 362 21 Nejdek, phone +420 353 240 111