Article Great Javor Lake
The most visited lake in Šumava
Just 7 km southwest of Železná Ruda, just across the border is the Great Javor Lake (Großer Arbersee in German). This lake at the foot of the highest peak in the Šumava Mountains has an area of 72 hectares and is the most visited in the Šumava Mountains due to its easy accessibility.
Due to its importance for nature and landscape, the lake and its surroundings were declared a nature reserve in 1939.
Dramatic surroundings
This glacial karst lake lies at an altitude of 919 m and is surrounded by the dramatic Arberseewand rock walls, which rise up to 416 meters directly above the shore. The lake basin and steep lake wall were formed by frost and the movement of glaciers during the Ice Age. The area is an important nature reserve with untouched nature, including a natural forest reserve with trees up to 400 years old and a diverse fauna.
Walk around the lake
There is a 2 km long path with viewpoints that goes around the entire lake. The path is quite wide, straight, in some places it leads over wide boardwalks, passable even for strollers. During the journey you will enjoy beautiful views of the lake, the surrounding rocks, various streams, sturdy trees, blueberries and grasses. A great attraction are the “floating islands”, which are a unique botanical phenomenon. These “islands” are made up of peat moss and roots that broke away from the bottom thousands of years ago.
Lake cruise
There is a road around the lake and there is a parking lot with a restaurant. When you arrive at the lake, you will be attracted by a pier with deckchairs and large pedal boats, which you can rent and ride around the lake. This is a truly unique attraction, because it is practically impossible to even walk around the other glacial lakes on the Czech side of Šumava, let alone sail on them in any way.
