Where to go on a trip Strážný

With an area of 69,030 hectares, Národní park Šumava is our largest national park. It can be found in South and West Bohemia. From Železná Ruda, it follows the state border with Germany, later with Austria, and from the eastern side, it is bordered by the Lipenská přehrada. It extends across the territory of two regions, namely the Plzeňský kraj and the Jihočeský kraj, and three districts: Český Krumlov, Prachatice, and Klatovy. Together with the German Národní park Bavorský les, it forms the largest continuously forested area in Central Europe. Thanks to this, it is also referred to as the "green heart of Europe." It was declared a national park on 20 March 1991; a year earlier, the territory was inscribed on the UNESCO list as the Šumava biosphere reserve.

Šumavský národní park is part of the Chráněná krajinná oblast Šumava. Within the territory of the national park, there are several dozen nature reserves and smaller protected areas. The main reason for declaring the national park was, in particular, the protection of biological communities – spruce forests, primeval forest stands, peat bogs, or corrie lakes. One may also find several endangered animal species here, such as the Eurasian lynx, the western capercaillie, or the Eurasian elk. There are also some insect species that cannot be seen anywhere else but in the local peat bogs.

Národní park Šumava itself can be divided into several separate areas: Šumavské pláně, Železnorudská hornatina, Boubínská hornatina, Želnavská hornatina, and Trojmezenská hornatina with the Vltavská brázda. In terms of altitude, it extends from 600 to 1,378 metres above sea level. The highest point is the mountain Plechý.

According to the method of protection, the park is divided into 3 zones: strict nature, managed nature, and peripheral. Included in the strict nature zone are the most valuable primeval forests and wetlands, which are protected from human influence. In the managed nature zone, one finds the largest part of the forest ecosystems, and in the peripheral zone, there are already places that people may use for tourism, recreation, or, for example, agriculture. Even in the peripheral zone, however, there are certain rules that protect nature from the devastating influence of certain activities.

Nevertheless, Národní park Šumava still has many "enemies." The greatest natural enemy has long been the bark beetle, which is causing significant calamities not only in the Šumava region but throughout our entire republic. Humans also have a negative impact on the local nature. This primarily involves timber harvesting that is not always justified, the construction of tourist centres, or the activities of canoeists on the upper reaches of the Vltava. For this reason, nature conservationists and ecologists are very active here, and one can regularly see them in television reports. The activities within the national park are also overseen by the Správa Národního parku Šumava.

From a hydrological perspective, Šumavský národní park is a significant location. One can find natural watercourses, glacial lakes, and man-made structures here. The territory belongs mainly to the North Sea watershed, with a smaller part belonging to the Black Sea. The Vydra river as well as the longest Czech river, the Vltava, begin their journey here. It rises below Černá hora as the Černý potok and gradually expands with other streams. Near Volary, it is already the true Vltava.

There are three glacial lakes here, namely Plešné jezero, Prášilské jezero, and jezero Laka. On the eastern edge of Národní park Šumava lies the Lipenská přehrada, which was built between 1950 and 1960 as the first stage of the Vltava cascade near Lipno nad Vltavou. Today, it is a frequent destination for holidaymakers, especially during the summer period.

Národní park Šumava itself is also a very popular location for tourists. Every year, it is visited by some two million visitors. In the winter period, they are mainly attracted by ski resorts such as Skiareál Špičák, which is the largest in the Plzeňský kraj, or the family-favourite Skiareál Lipno. Here, one may also try out an 11-kilometre-long ice skating track. During the summer, places such as the source of the Vltava or the village of Modrava attract visitors. The latter is well-known and popular thanks to a crime series set in this environment, as are the climbs to the mountains Plechý, Pancíř, or Špičák.

So, has this article captured your interest? We invite you to set out and discover the places we have mentioned as well. Find suitable accommodation in Národní park Šumava and begin filling the pages of your travel diaries. Quality accommodation in Šumava can be found in villages such as Kvilda, Nové Hutě, Kubova Huť, or Stachy. However, there is much, much more. Our free search agent will facilitate your search and save you time. So do not hesitate and set off for Šumava!

On the territory of the Národní park Šumava, several interesting lakes can be found. One of them is Plešné jezero, which was formerly also called Plekenštejnské jezero or was known by its German designation Plöckensteinsee. This glacial lake lies in the cadastral area of the municipality of Nová Pec, in the Prachatice District. Its maximum depth is 18.3 m and the volume of retained water is around 617,000 m³. It is located at an altitude of 1,090 m a. s. l.

The lake received its naming after Mount Plechý, which is the highest mountain of the Czech part of the Šumava. Water drains from the lake through Jezerní potok and flows into the Vltava River near the Lipno Dam. The lake originated from one of the eleven valley glaciers that were located in the Šumava during the Quaternary period. The edges of Plešné jezero are bordered by a high moraine dam, and at the foot of the mountain, they are carved into the exposed walls of the glacial cirque. The height of the lake wall is up to 260 m.

According to historical records, the first person to explore Plešné jezero was the Rožmberk regent Jakub Krčín z Jelčan. The lake was later used to supply water to the Schwarzenberský plavební kanál. Josef Rosenauer, who was the builder of the canal, thoroughly sealed the lake's moraine and placed discharge sluice gates into the dam. Thanks to this, it was possible to regulate the water in the canal. A small meteorological station is also located on the dam, which investigates and records phenomena, especially precipitation and winds, which have an effect on fluctuations in the lake's water level.

In 1999, the Správa Národního parku Šumava carried out a repair of the dam. Thanks to this, the lake became more accessible and stable. And gradually, a larger number of tourists began to come here as well. At the top of the northwest wall stands the Stifterův památník, which commemorates the well-known Šumava poet Adalbert Stifter. From the platform in front of the monument, there is a magnificent view of the surface of Plešné jezero. The Zážitková naučná stezka "Duch pralesa" leads from this monument back to the lake. And there is one more memorial plaque here. It is dedicated to Jan Nepomuk ze Schwarzenberku, who merited the construction of the Schwarzenberský plavební kanál.

And how do visitors get to Plešné jezero? They can take it by bike, for example. Cycle route No. 1029 from the municipality of Stožec leads visitors all the way to the lake after 12 kilometres. The path also leads partially along the Schwarzenberský plavební kanál, and there is truly much to admire. The magnificent nature of the national park will surely captivate visitors. The last part of the route is somewhat more demanding, but the destination is then well worth it. On the return journey, visitors can disconnect from the route at the navigational canal onto cycle route No. 1023 and get back to Stožec via a circuit through the settlement of Jelení.

In addition to Plešné jezero, other lakes are also located in the Šumava, such as Černé jezero, which is the largest natural lake in the Czech Republic, or Čertovo jezero. Both lie in the vicinity of Železná Ruda, which is a significant sports and tourist center.

Already during the last century, Plešné jezero was a popular destination for tourists who visited the Šumava nature. Therefore, a tourist base Lucemburská chata was built near the lake in 1911. It became the property of the Klub českých turistů, but in 1948 it was seized by the Pohraniční stráž and adapted for the use of the border guard company. It left the building in 1989, and the cottage was demolished.

But visitors do not need to despair. Over time, this tourist-renowned area also began to adapt to the massive interest of visitors. Thanks to this, it is relatively easy to find suitable accommodation near Plešné jezero. When visitors visit our accommodation Prachaticko pages, or alternatively the very popular category accommodation Šumava, they will surely find a cozy place for themselves as well to spend a pleasant holiday.

Wooden tower with a view of the central parts of Šumava

Rozhledna Churáňov stands on the Sokol hill (1,253 metres) near the village of Stachy in the Prachatice district in the Jihočeský kraj. This modern wooden tower, approximately thirty metres high, was opened in 2010. Its observation deck offers an extensive circular view of the central and highest parts of Šumava, the dominant peaks of Boubín and Javorník, the vast Šumavské pláně, and in clear weather, even the Alps. The tower is an ideal destination for hiking and cross-country skiing in winter.

Access

A well-maintained road leads to the lookout tower from the village of Stachy (accessible from road number 4). It is recommended to park at the paid car park with sufficient capacity, which is located in the Churáňov ski resort near Hotel Churáňov. From there, it is an easy ascent along a forest path approximately one kilometre long, following the yellow tourist marker, which leads slightly uphill. The nearest bus stop, Stachy, is less than five kilometres away.

What is worth exploring

Nearby is the extensive CHKO Šumava with the dominant Boubínský prales and Boubín with its lookout tower. Less than twenty kilometres to the south lies Jezero Laka and hrad Kašperk. It is also worth visiting the Muzeum Šumavy in Kašperské Hory and Rozhledna Javorník.

A well-known cross-country skiing center is located in Šumava, specifically in Zadov, in the cadastral area of the municipality of Stachy. Lyžařský areál Zadov offers its services and a multitude of attractions in both the winter and summer seasons.

During the warmer part of the year, activities are prepared for all age categories. Children and sports-oriented adults will be pleased by Lanové centrum Zadov. If visitors want to explore Šumava by bicycle or scooter, a rental shop is available where a suitable vehicle for the trip will be selected for visitors.

However, Lyžařský areál Zadov is attractive mainly during the winter. The aforementioned cross-country skiing is heavily utilized. Our successful cross-country skier Kateřina Neumannová also trained on the marked trails, of which there are over 50 kilometers and which connect to other trails within the entire Šumava. Various sporting events regularly take place at the local cross-country stadium.

Of course, downhill skiing is also represented in Lyžařský areál Zadov. The resort is divided into several smaller areas. Lyžařský areál Kobyla offers a 4-chair lift and 2 smaller ski lifts. It is possible to ski on approximately 3 kilometers of ski slopes. Visitors can frolic in the snowpark, which, like the ski slope, is artificially snowed and illuminated. Original ski jumps can also be found here, though they are already out of operation. A ski and snowboard school with a ski equipment rental and service shop is also not lacking.

The second Lyžařský areál U Horejšů is rather suitable for family skiing. The length of the ski slope is 350 meters. During the main winter season, evening skiing is also in operation. Here too, visitors can make use of a ski school, as well as a children's playground with its own ski lift.

The Nové Hutě area offers an even slightly longer ski slope. It measures over 1,000 meters and, together with another short ski slope, is again suitable rather for families with children or beginner skiers.

Throughout the entire winter season, visitors can use shuttle transport provided by the local ski bus to move around Lyžařský areál Zadov. Parking is provided for motorists. And when visitors get hungry, they can make use of the fast food offerings. Toilets are also a matter of course.

If this ski center has caught visitors' attention and they are planning to spend their next holiday in Šumava, suitable accommodation near Lyžařský areál Zadov will gladly be recommended to help visitors choose. Since everyone prefers something different, a wide selection is prepared, and it is believed that the needs of everyone who decides to set off for Šumava will be satisfied.

Suitable accommodation for families with children can be found throughout the entire Šumava, and comfortable properties for team building, for two, or for a weekend stay are also offered. Visitors can choose cottages and chalets, guesthouses, apartments, and private accommodation. It is sufficient just to choose a suitable date and set off. Šumava will certainly captivate visitors with its enchanting nature.