Exciting News: Mine Trains are Back in Action at Soos National Nature Reserve! – Your Ticket to Adventure!

The mine train was originally designed for use in underground mines to transport miners. This train takes interested visitors on a ride along a narrow-gauge track almost every weekend from May to September, running between 10am and 5pm, connecting Soos with the settlement of Katherine. The upcoming rides on the museum’s narrow gauge railway, Kateřina, will start on the weekend of May 3rd and 4th, followed by another set of rides on May 17th and 18th. In June, the train will operate five times, while in July it will run eight times (including on public holidays). The cost for adults is 120 CZK, and for children, it is 60 CZK. If you want to bring your four-legged friend along, they can ride for 60 CZK, but please note that payment is only accepted in cash.

Historically, this narrow gauge line transported ceramic clays and other materials. Mining activities began in the 1880s, with the arrival of steam locomotives on the line just prior to World War I. Various mining companies operated their own narrow-gauge tracks in the region between Luby and Horní Drahov. In the summer of 2023, the Katherine mine, or its depot, was recognized as one of the Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic. Built in the 1920s, the depot is currently undergoing essential and extensive renovations. It continues to function for its original purpose, serving as a parking and maintenance space for the railway vehicles. After the restoration of the roof, chimneys, lighting, and existing infrastructure, the operators plan to establish an exhibition that will highlight the historical significance of the local railway, explaining its construction and its uses over the years. Right now, there are non-operational locomotives on display, along with a forge that still contains original equipment.

The National Natural Soos Reserve located near Františkovy Lázně is known for its mud volcanoes, marshes, and mineral springs. Gases escape from the Earth’s interior through the water, causing small eruptions at the mud volcanoes, where craters occasionally release water and mud.

Kateřina Mine Train & Soos National Nature Reserve

• Experience: Unique ride on the narrow-gauge Kateřina mine train from Františkovy Lázně to Soos Reserve

• Operating season: Weekends from early May to late September, 10 AM – 5 PM

• Fares

  • Adults: 120 CZK

  • Children: 60 CZK

  • Four-legged companions: 60 CZK

  • Payment: Cash only

• Reserve highlights

  • Vast peat bog and moorland

  • Mud volcanoes that erupt water and mud

  • Mineral springs and mofettes (CO₂ vents)

  • “Moonscape” erosion features and mineral-salt layers

  • Habitat for protected animals and salt-loving wetland plants

• Depot exhibit: Railway vehicle maintenance and local railway history on display

• Discovery: Fascinating natural wonders of the Soos peat bog and mud volcanoes

Enjoy exploring these diverse Czech experiences—from historic city runs to Roman-era relics and unique natural landscapes!