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Czech Forest
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Explore the Czech Forest in Czechia for wooded border ridges, Chod culture, medieval castles, cycling routes and peaceful rural towns.

The Czech Forest, known in Czech as Český les, is a long, wooded mountain range following Czechia’s western frontier with Germany. It lies north of the Šumava range and is more lightly developed than many of the country’s better-known mountain destinations. Deep spruce and beech woods, upland meadows, scattered villages and broad views from the border ridges give the area a strong sense of space. The Czech Forest Protected Landscape Area covers much of this landscape, where conservation and low-intensity rural life remain central to its identity.
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The range is not a single compact resort but a succession of valleys, foothills and ridge communities. Domažlice and Klenčí pod Čerchovem provide access to the southern section, while Tachov, Přimda and towns such as Poběžovice serve the central and northern parts. The highest point is Čerchov, rising to 1,042 metres above sea level, with forest tracks and marked footpaths leading through terrain shaped by centuries of woodland management, grazing and borderland settlement. Cycling is particularly rewarding in the warmer months, although distances and gradients can be greater than maps initially suggest.
The region’s cultural character is strongly associated with the Chods, a historic Czech-speaking population traditionally linked with guarding the frontier around Domažlice. Chod customs, folk music, decorated ceramics and distinctive regional foods remain visible in museums, festivals and local craft traditions. Domažlice’s elongated central square and arcaded houses provide an architectural counterpoint to the wooded uplands, while villages and small towns preserve churches, farm buildings and traces of older trade routes.
History is also written into the landscape through castles, vanished settlements and former military zones. Přimda Castle, one of the oldest stone castles in Czechia, commands a prominent site above the town of the same name. In the twentieth century, the border became a heavily controlled edge of the Iron Curtain; access restrictions and the removal of some settlements left large areas unusually quiet. Today, former border roads and paths offer walking and cycling routes, but visitors should remain attentive to marked trails and conservation rules.
The Czech Forest is best suited to travellers who enjoy walking, cycling, local history and small-scale cultural discovery rather than concentrated entertainment. Its appeal lies in the transition between forest ridges and historic market towns, the subdued beauty of its border landscape and the opportunity to encounter a western Czech region whose identity has been shaped by both connection and separation from neighbouring Bavaria.

When is the best time to visit Czech Forest?

Best: June–August · 21–23°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January225
February325
March730
April1135
May1740
June (best)2145
July (best)2350
August (best)2350
September1945
October1340
November730
December225

Getting to and around Czech Forest

How to get there

The Czech Forest is reached mainly by road and regional rail from western Bohemia. Domažlice is the most useful southern gateway, with railway connections towards Plzeň and the German border, while Tachov and its surrounding towns serve the central and northern section. Přimda is accessible by road and regional buses. Prague is the principal international gateway for most overseas visitors, although it lies well outside the region; Plzeň is a practical domestic interchange. Services vary between communities, so check current connections before travelling to a remote trailhead.

Transportation

A car is useful for linking the Czech Forest’s scattered towns, viewpoints and trailheads, particularly in the central and northern sections. Regional trains serve selected corridors, while buses connect larger settlements with smaller communities, but rural services can be infrequent outside working and school periods. Walking and cycling are excellent ways to explore the marked forest routes, though steep gradients and long stretches without shops or cafés require preparation. Taxis are more readily available in towns than in upland villages, and cross-border routes should be checked before setting out.

Best attractions in Czech Forest

The Czech Forest’s attractions are dispersed through a protected border landscape rather than concentrated in a single resort. Walking and cycling routes lead through spruce and beech woods, upland meadows, former border roads and quiet valleys, with Čerchov providing the best-known high point in the southern range. The Czech Forest Protected Landscape Area is valuable for its habitats and cultural landscape as much as for conventional sightseeing. Historic towns add variety: Domažlice is associated with Chod culture and traditional architecture, while Tachov and Přimda provide access to the northern and central sections. Castle remains, village churches, small museums and traces of vanished settlements reveal the region’s layered past. Visitors interested in twentieth-century history can look for former Iron Curtain sites and border infrastructure, always respecting access restrictions and conservation rules. The area is suited to hiking, touring by bicycle, wildlife observation and landscape photography, with cross-border excursions into Germany possible where routes and border arrangements permit. Services are deliberately modest in the uplands, so the experience is shaped by self-guided exploration, historic market towns and the changing character of the forest rather than by a dense programme of commercial attractions.

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Best landmarks in Czech Forest

Čerchov is the Czech Forest’s defining natural landmark, rising to 1,042 metres and forming a prominent wooded summit above the southern range. Its elevated position and border setting have given it both scenic and strategic importance, although military associations mean that visitors should follow current access arrangements around summit facilities. The ruins of Přimda Castle occupy an equally significant historic position above the town of Přimda. Dating from the early twelfth century, the castle is among the oldest stone castles in the Czech lands and demonstrates the medieval importance of the route through the western frontier. Domažlice’s long central square, lined with arcaded historic houses and dominated by the town’s tower, is the architectural heart of the Chod region. Elsewhere, modest churches, village chapels and surviving farm buildings give the settled landscape its character. Former Iron Curtain structures and border roads form a less monumental but important modern landmark network, recording the decades when this part of Czechia was a controlled military frontier.

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Best restaurants in Czech Forest

Dining in the Czech Forest is rooted in the food culture of western Bohemia, with hearty soups, pork, poultry, game, potatoes, cabbage, dumplings and seasonal mushrooms appearing in traditional cooking. Around Domažlice, visitors can encounter Chod-associated specialities and locally made baked goods, while rural inns and town restaurants provide familiar Czech meals alongside increasingly varied contemporary menus. Small breweries and regional drinks may complement dishes, although availability differs from one settlement to another. Domažlice and Tachov offer the broadest choice of cafés, bakeries and restaurants; in smaller villages, opening days and evening service can be limited. Farmers’ markets and local shops are useful for bread, cheeses, preserves and other provisions for a walking or cycling day. Dining is generally informal, but reservations may be sensible for popular establishments at weekends or during local events. The region’s culinary identity is best understood through its links with western Bohemian farming, forestry and Chod traditions rather than through a single dish found everywhere.

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Best bars in Czech Forest

Evening life in the Czech Forest is centred on traditional pubs, hotel restaurants, cafés and small-town establishments rather than a large nightclub scene. Domažlice has the widest choice of places for an evening drink, with Tachov and other larger towns providing additional pubs and restaurants. Local beer is a natural feature of Czech social life, while some venues also serve wine, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks; alcohol is not essential to enjoying the region. In villages, the hospoda, or local pub, may be the main evening meeting place, though opening arrangements can vary. Cultural events, folk performances and seasonal celebrations can bring livelier evenings to Domažlice and surrounding Chod communities, but these should be checked in advance. Travellers seeking late-night entertainment will find the region quieter than major Czech cities and may prefer an evening walk, a meal at a rural inn or a stay in a historic town.

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Best nightclubs in Czech Forest

Evening life in the Czech Forest is centred on traditional pubs, hotel restaurants, cafés and small-town establishments rather than a large nightclub scene. Domažlice has the widest choice of places for an evening drink, with Tachov and other larger towns providing additional pubs and restaurants. Local beer is a natural feature of Czech social life, while some venues also serve wine, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks; alcohol is not essential to enjoying the region. In villages, the hospoda, or local pub, may be the main evening meeting place, though opening arrangements can vary. Cultural events, folk performances and seasonal celebrations can bring livelier evenings to Domažlice and surrounding Chod communities, but these should be checked in advance. Travellers seeking late-night entertainment will find the region quieter than major Czech cities and may prefer an evening walk, a meal at a rural inn or a stay in a historic town.

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Best shops in Czech Forest

Shopping in the Czech Forest is concentrated in Domažlice, Tachov, Přimda and other market towns rather than in large retail complexes. Domažlice is the strongest centre for browsing independent shops, bakeries, cafés, local food and items associated with Chod culture, including decorated ceramics and folk-inspired crafts. Small galleries and craft outlets may offer pottery, woodwork, textiles or regional artwork, although selection and opening days vary. Town markets and seasonal events are useful for bread, preserves, honey, cheeses and other products from western Bohemian farms. Tachov provides practical everyday shopping for visitors staying in the northern part of the range, while villages generally have only limited provisions. When buying souvenirs, look for locally produced goods rather than generic items labelled with the region’s name. The most useful purchases for a walking trip are also often the simplest: bakery goods, fruit, drinks and picnic supplies obtained before heading into the forest.

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Czech Forest essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Czech koruna, abbreviated CZK or Kč. Cards and contactless payments are commonly accepted in hotels, larger shops, museums and many restaurants in towns such as Domažlice and Tachov. Carry some cash for small cafés, village services, rural accommodation, markets and occasional transport purchases, as card facilities are less consistent away from the main centres. Prices and payment practices are national rather than unique to the Czech Forest, and foreign currencies should not be assumed to be accepted.
Safety
The main risks are practical rather than unusual: getting lost on an extensive trail network, underestimating weather in exposed uplands, or encountering uneven ground and fallen branches in the forest. Wear suitable footwear, carry water and allow extra time for routes with limited mobile coverage or services. Drivers should expect narrow roads, cyclists and wildlife, especially near wooded areas. Near the border, remain on signed paths and observe protected-area notices; do not handle unfamiliar military debris or enter abandoned structures.
Emergency Situations
In Czechia, call 112 for the European emergency number, 150 for the fire service, 155 for an ambulance and 158 for the police. Give a clear location, using a named settlement, marked trail, road number or map reference where possible. For serious incidents in forest or upland terrain, emergency services can coordinate the appropriate response, but rescue may take longer in remote country. The Czech Forest is not a high-alpine environment, yet weather, distance and poor visibility can make a seemingly simple walk more demanding.
Do's and Don'ts
Stay on marked paths where restrictions apply, keep dogs under control and leave plants, wildlife and historic remains undisturbed. Close gates, respect private land and follow local instructions around forestry operations. In churches and small museums, dress and behave respectfully and ask before photographing people, interiors or collections. Czechia generally has a modest tipping custom in restaurants, with rounding up or leaving a small amount for good service being appropriate. Do not assume that a quiet forest road is suitable for parking or that every village has an open shop.
Local Tips
The Domažlice area is the best place to learn about Chod culture, while the surroundings of Čerchov provide some of the range’s most rewarding upland walks. Tachov and Přimda are useful northern bases for exploring a less visited section of the border landscape. Combine a forest excursion with a market-town visit, since rural services close earlier and may not operate every day. Spring and autumn can bring changeable conditions and muddy paths, while summer weekends are the busiest period on popular routes near major trailheads.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloAhoj[ahoy]
GoodbyeNa shledanou[nah skhledanoh]
YesAno[ahnoh]
NoNe[neh]
Please/You're welcomeProsím[pro-seem]
Thank youDěkuji[dyeh-koo-yee]
Excuse me/SorryOmlouvám se[om-loh-vahm seh]
How are you?Jak se máš?[yak seh mahsh]
Fine. And you?Dobře. A ty?[dob-zhay. ah tee?]
Do you speak English?Mluvíš anglicky?[mlue-veesh ahn-glitskee?]
I don't understandNerozumím[neh-roh-zoo-meem]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseChtěl bych vidět menu, prosím[khtyel beek veed-yet menu, pro-seem]
I don't eat meatNejím maso[nay-eem mah-so]
Cheers!Na zdraví![nah zdra-vee]
I would like to pay, pleaseChtěl bych zaplatit, prosím[khtyel beek zah-pla-teet, pro-seem]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Pomoc![poh-mots]
Go away!Jdi pryč![yee preech]
Call the Police!Zavolejte policii![zah-vo-lay-teh poh-lit-see-ee]
Call a doctor!Zavolejte doktora![zah-vo-lay-teh doh-kto-ra]
I'm lostZtratil jsem se[ztra-teel ysem seh]
I'm illJsem nemocný[ysem neh-mots-nee]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Chtěl bych koupit...[khtyel beek koh-pit...]
I'm just lookingJen se dívám[yen seh dee-vahm]
How much is it?Kolik to stojí?[koh-leek toh stoy-ee?]
That's too expensiveTo je příliš drahé[toh yeh pree-leesh drah-heh]
Can you lower the price?Můžeš snížit cenu?[moo-zhesh snee-zheet tseh-noo?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Kolik je hodin?[koh-leek yeh ho-deen?]
It's one o'clockJe jedna hodina[yeh yed-na ho-dee-na]
Half past (10)Půl (10)[pool (10)]
MorningRáno[rah-no]
AfternoonOdpoledne[od-po-led-neh]
EveningVečer[veh-cher]
YesterdayVčera[vcheh-ra]
TodayDnes[dnes]
TomorrowZítra[zeetra]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Kde je...?[kdeh yeh...?]
What's the address?Jaká je adresa?[yak-ah yeh ah-dre-sah?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Můžeš mi to ukázat (na mapě)?[moo-zhesh mee toh oo-kah-zat (nah mah-peh)?]
When's the next (bus)?Kdy jede další (autobus)?[kdih yeh-deh dal-shee (au-to-boos)?]
A ticket (to ....)Jeden lístek (do ....)[yeh-den lees-tek (do ....)]

History of Czech Forest

Early Settlement and the Border Forest

The wooded uplands of the Czech Forest formed part of a broader frontier zone between Bohemia and Bavaria. Archaeological evidence indicates prehistoric activity in the surrounding lowlands and valleys, while the mountains themselves remained comparatively sparsely settled because of their terrain and dense woodland. Routes crossing the borderlands connected communities on both sides, and clearings gradually supported pasture, forestry and small settlements. The forest was never an empty space, but its history was shaped by the balance between difficult access, natural resources and the political importance of western Bohemia’s frontier.

Přimda Castle and Medieval Frontier Power

Přimda Castle stands on a rocky hill above the town of Přimda and is generally regarded as one of the oldest stone castles in the Czech lands. Established in the early twelfth century, it guarded an important route between Bohemia and the Bavarian lands and expressed the Přemyslid rulers’ interest in controlling the western frontier. Although now a ruin, its elevated position still explains its strategic value. The castle is a visible reminder that the Czech Forest was not merely a rural hinterland but a corridor through which armies, merchants and political authority moved.

The Chods and the Domažlice Borderlands

From the late medieval period, the Chods became closely associated with the frontier around Domažlice. These hereditary border guards were granted particular rights and obligations in return for protecting routes and passes along the Bohemian edge. Their status later became contested, contributing to the Chod rebellion against the authorities in the seventeenth century. The movement acquired lasting importance in Czech cultural memory, especially through the literary treatment of the Chod leader Jan Sladký Kozina. Domažlice and nearby communities continue to present Chod traditions through museums, music, costume and regional crafts.

Trade, Forestry and Rural Transformation

For centuries, the Czech Forest economy combined agriculture in the settled valleys with timber production, charcoal making, craft work and movement along regional roads. Market towns such as Domažlice, Tachov and Přimda linked upland communities with larger centres in Bohemia and Bavaria. Modern forestry altered the composition and management of the woodland, while improving roads and later rail connections reduced the isolation of some settlements. The result was a landscape of managed forest, meadows, villages and historic towns rather than untouched wilderness.

Twentieth-Century Border Restrictions

The twentieth century brought profound disruption to the Czech Forest. After the Second World War, the expulsion of the German-speaking population transformed many communities along the western border. Under communist rule, the frontier became part of the restricted Iron Curtain zone, with fences, patrols and controlled access limiting ordinary movement. Some villages disappeared or declined, and former military areas left traces in the countryside. The restricted zone also reduced development in places, helping preserve extensive quiet landscapes that later became important to conservation and low-impact tourism.

Protected Landscape and Cross-Border Renewal

The modern Czech Forest emerged from the border’s opening after 1989 and from growing recognition of the area’s ecological and historical value. The Český les Protected Landscape Area was established in 2005 to protect forests, upland meadows, wetlands and cultural landscapes across much of the range. Former border paths have become walking and cycling routes, while cooperation with neighbouring Bavaria has encouraged a more connected approach to nature protection and heritage. Tourism remains relatively dispersed, reflecting an effort to preserve the region’s rural character rather than create a large resort landscape.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Czech Forest

Discover the magic of Czech Forest with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and much more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
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Transform your Czech Forest adventure with Evendo, the all-in-one travel guide app that offers detailed insights on attractions, landmarks, eateries, hotels, tours, and more. Download now for free!

  • Historical insights and travel essentials for Czech Forest
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Embark on an unforgettable journey to the enchanting Czech Forest with the Evendo app, your comprehensive travel guide. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, Evendo helps you uncover the hidden gems and must-see attractions of this beautiful region. From the majestic Šumava National Park to the historic Vimperk Castle, Evendo provides detailed information, images, and local tips to enhance your travel experience.

Discover renowned landmarks such as the Boubín Forest, a primeval forest perfect for nature enthusiasts, or explore the quaint town of Kašperské Hory, known for its medieval charm. Food lovers can indulge in mouth-watering Czech cuisine at top-rated restaurants like Hospůdka U Štěpána or enjoy a refreshing drink at the local favorite, Pivovar Modrava.

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