The most beautiful hikes in Šumava
The best mountain ascents in Šumava
Šumava offers the most peaks of the Czech mountains over a thousand meters above sea level, although most of them are not very pronounced. During hikes in Šumava, you can conquer several such hills in one day. Let's take a look at the most beautiful hikes and mountain ascents in Šumava
Cycling to Großer Arber / Big Maple
The highest peak of Šumava
In addition to being the highest peak of the Šumava with its altitude of 1,456 m, the Großer Arber or Velký Javor is also one of the most easily recognizable Šumava peaks thanks to its unmistakable silhouette with a pair of radars visible from afar. Its surroundings are interwoven with a dense network of marked and unmarked paths and thus offers an inexhaustible number of options for how to get to the top. One of them, this time for cyclists, is described in this article. continue reading
Along the peaks of Šumava
From Třístolicník to Plechý and back again
Whether it is summer or winter, you have time off and you have no program, so you will definitely not go crazy if you go to Šumava. Specifically on the ridge between Třístoličník and the highest peak of the Czech part of Šumava – Plechý. In the article you can see a comparison between winter and summer. If the weather comes out, everyone will find something here at any time of the year. continue reading
Ascent to Špičák and Svaroh
Around Devil's and Black Lakes
This circuit has two different parts – the first part from Železná Ruda around both lakes with a turnoff to Špičák leads along busy hiking trails and vice versa the second part, the ascent to Svaroh and return to Železná Ruda, leads along unmarked roads a little luck you won't meet anyone. The route measures about 22 km and can be managed in 8 hours. continue reading
Kašperk
The highest royal castle
Charles IV came up with the idea to build a castle. The kingdom of that time needed to protect the land border – the Golden Trail – rich gold mines and paddy fields. continue reading
Ascent to Debrník, Polom and Sklářský vrch
A circuit along the lesser-known Šumava peaks
With its altitude of 1,336 m, Debrník or Plesná is one of the highest peaks on the Czech side of the Šumava Mountains. The top doesn't seem to offer much, but the journey itself can be all the more interesting. Especially if you like to roam the deserted forests. The ascent to Debrník can be connected with the ascent to Polom and Sklářský vrch, while all the peaks lie outside the marked trails and thanks to that you will meet very few people along the way. continue reading
Ascent to Ostrý and Velký Kokrháč
Or a walk along the border
According to many, Ostrý is one of the most beautiful Šumava peaks. Its characteristic silhouette with two peaks (Big Sharp and Little Sharp) is far from recognizable. The Czech-German border passes over the top of Velký Ostrý (the highest point is on the German side), Malý Ostrý lies just a short distance away in Germany. Once we are on Ostrá, it pays to extend the hike along the border ridge trail to Velký Kokrháč. The hike described below is about 18 km long and takes 7 hours. continue reading
Hike along the Otter
The jewel of Šumava
The Vydra River is one of the most visited places in Šumava for tourists. They walk from Čenkova Pila to Antýgl and vice versa. Opportunity to stop at Turner's cottage. The river is unique in that it is full of boulders and thus forms a romantic valley in any period. continue reading
Ascent to Montenegro and Stráž
Or nine thousand in one day
In the vicinity of Kvilda there are a number of hills, the tops of which attract to conquer. We will overcome nine of them within the route described below. There is no tourist marked path to any of them and no path at all to some of them. They may not be so attractive to tourists at first glance, but lovers of the Šumava forests will certainly enjoy themselves. The route is about 26 km long and takes 8–9 hours (unless you get lost along the way). continue reading
Vítkův hrádek
The highest Czech castle
Vítkův hrádek castle is sometimes referred to as Vítkův kámen is the highest castle in the Czech Republic 1035 m above sea level Today it is a castle ruin. It was founded in the 14th century. It was opened to the public only in 2005. It is a beautiful little castle, but what it offers today is a spectacle. Here, behind me and in the words of others, is the best view of the Lipno Reservoir. And there is really something to look at. To do this, you can get near the castle by car. But I recommend visiting in low season or off weekends. Parking and transport to it is not the most convenient. In any case, both cycle paths and hiking trails lead here. continue reading
Čenkova Pila
Saw with history
It is located at the confluence of the rivers Křemelná and Vydra. It is named after a timber trader who had a real sawmill built here in the second half of the 19th century for processing wood from the Šumava forests. From here, the wood floated all the way to Prague along the Otava River, which originates at the confluence of the Křemelná and Vydra rivers. Before the First World War, a small power plant was built here. By the way, its Francis turbine is still functional. continue reading
Chalupská slať in winter
With the largest peat lake in the Czech Republic
About 1 km north of the village Borová Lada is a highland peat bog with the largest peat lake in the Czech Republic – Chalupská slať. continue reading
Jezerní slať
A place where it freezes even in summer
In the area of the Šumava plateaus about 2.5 km north of the mountain resort Kvilda, there is an area of 103.5 ha on an upland peat bog – Jezerní slať. It is an easily accessible and therefore very popular excursion destination. A 2.5 km long comfortable cycle path leads here from Kvilda. There is a spacious car park for car tourists, from which a 250-meter-long attic walkway leads to the lookout tower. continue reading
