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Šumava
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Explore Šumava in Czechia for forested mountains, glacial lakes, historic villages, castle ruins, peatlands and rewarding walking and cycling routes.

Šumava is Czechia’s great south-western mountain region, a broad, forested landscape along the border with Germany and Austria. Known in English as the Bohemian Forest, it combines quiet upland plateaux, peat bogs, glacial lakes, deep valleys and scattered settlements shaped by centuries of farming, forestry, glassmaking and border trade. Much of the Czech side is protected by Šumava National Park and the adjoining Šumava Protected Landscape Area, making this one of the country’s most important destinations for walking, cycling and nature observation.
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The region is not a single compact resort but a sequence of valleys, villages and mountain communities. Železná Ruda, near the German border, is the principal western base, with access to the Černé and Čertovo lakes and the high ridges around Pancíř. Further east, Kašperské Hory preserves its association with medieval gold mining and stands beneath Kašperk Castle, while Sušice occupies the lower Otava valley at the mountain region’s western approach. In the central uplands, Modrava, Srní, Kvilda and Horská Kvilda provide access to extensive walking and cross-country skiing networks.
The landscape changes towards the south. Around Stožec and Volary, spruce forests, meadows and historic farmsteads form a gentler mosaic, while the eastern section includes the dramatic Plešné Lake, the Schwarzenberg Navigation Canal and routes towards the Boubín Forest. These places reveal the region’s long relationship with water and timber: canals, sluices, sawmills and forestry roads are as important to Šumava’s history as castles and churches. Wetter uplands contain peat bogs and headwater streams that feed rivers flowing towards the Vltava and Otava.
Šumava’s cultural character is closely tied to its borderland past. German-speaking communities once lived alongside Czech residents in many mountain settlements, but the Second World War, the post-war expulsion of Germans and the creation of the Iron Curtain transformed the population and left some villages vanished or greatly reduced. Today, restored chapels, wayside crosses, former glassworks sites and remnants of old roads offer quiet reminders of that complicated history. Local food is generally hearty and seasonal, with potatoes, mushrooms, game, trout, fruit pastries and regional beers appearing in mountain inns and village restaurants.
Visitors should allow time rather than attempt to cover the whole region in a day. Summer is suited to hiking and cycling, autumn brings forests and fewer visitors, and winter supports cross-country skiing when snow conditions permit. Some paths cross sensitive habitats or border areas and may be seasonally restricted, so route planning is important. Šumava’s appeal lies less in concentrated sightseeing than in the relationship between forests, water, mountain settlements and a frontier history that remains visible across the landscape.

When is the best time to visit Šumava?

Best: June–August · 19–21°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January140
February335
March645
April1050
May1560
June (best)1970
July (best)2180
August (best)2080
September1870
October1260
November650
December245

Getting to and around Šumava

How to get there

There is no major international airport in Šumava. International visitors commonly reach the region by rail or road from Prague, Plzeň, České Budějovice or Munich, all outside the region; Prague and Munich provide the broadest air connections, while Linz in Austria is another possible gateway for the south-eastern side. Trains reach Železná Ruda from the Plzeň direction, and České Budějovice connects with Volary and other eastern Šumava access points. Regular buses serve mountain towns, although connections become less frequent in remote areas.

Transportation

Rail and bus services link the principal towns, including Železná Ruda, Sušice, Kašperské Hory, Vimperk, Volary and the surrounding foothills, but many trailheads lie away from stations. A car is useful for combining distant valleys and reaching places with limited public transport; mountain roads can be narrow, winding and slow in winter. Cycling is well supported by marked routes, while walking is the best way to explore the national park. Seasonal buses or shuttle services may operate on selected routes, so check current arrangements locally rather than relying on old timetables.

Top city travel guides in Šumava

The cities of Šumava, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Šumava

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Šumava

Šumava’s attractions are dispersed through a large mountain landscape rather than concentrated in one city. The national park and protected landscape area provide the main experience, with marked paths leading through spruce forests, upland meadows, peat bogs and glacial lakes such as Černé jezero, Čertovo jezero and Plešné jezero. Viewpoints at Poledník and Pancíř offer broad perspectives when weather permits, while the Boubín Forest reserve introduces visitors to an older woodland environment. Around Modrava, Kvilda, Srní and Stožec, walking and cycling routes connect natural sites with former settlements and information centres. The region also has substantial cultural attractions: Kašperk Castle, the museums of Kašperské Hory and Vimperk, the Schwarzenberg Navigation Canal and historic churches and chapels reveal the area’s mining, forestry and borderland past. Winter brings cross-country skiing on upland trails, while warmer months suit hiking, cycling, wildlife watching and visits to open-air or local-history exhibitions. Families can choose shorter nature trails and educational routes, but many of Šumava’s strongest experiences depend on patience, weather awareness and willingness to travel between valleys.

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Best landmarks in Šumava

Kašperk Castle is Šumava’s most recognisable medieval landmark, standing on a wooded ridge above Kašperské Hory and reflecting the strategic importance of the gold-mining frontier. In the west, Černé jezero and Čertovo jezero are distinctive glacial lakes set among the high forests near Železná Ruda, while Plešné jezero provides a dramatic eastern counterpart beneath the slopes of Plechý. The Boubín Forest and its observation tower represent the region’s best-known woodland landmarks, although access and routes should be checked before travel. Near the south-eastern border, the Schwarzenberg Navigation Canal is an impressive industrial monument whose channels and engineering structures recall the historic movement of timber towards the Danube. Poledník’s former military tower, now associated with a viewing platform, reflects the twentieth-century border landscape. Historic townscapes in Kašperské Hory, Vimperk and Sušice add churches, squares and civic buildings to the region’s visual identity, while roadside chapels, crosses and remnants of vanished settlements give the countryside a more intimate historical dimension.

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Explore Šumava on the map

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Best restaurants in Šumava

Šumava’s food reflects a cool mountain climate and a history of forestry, farming and borderland exchange. Traditional menus often include potato dishes, soups, mushrooms, cabbage, game and trout, with fruit dumplings, yeast pastries and other substantial desserts appearing in village inns and family-run restaurants. Local specialities are not always exclusive to Šumava, but they express the region’s relationship with upland agriculture and woodland produce. In Železná Ruda, Kašperské Hory, Sušice, Vimperk and the larger eastern towns, visitors will find a wider choice of Czech cooking, cafés and contemporary restaurants; smaller settlements tend to rely on pubs, mountain hotels and seasonal dining rooms. Regional beers are common, while cafés and bakeries provide useful stops on cycling and walking days. Farmers’ markets and local food shops, where available, are good places to look for honey, preserves, mushrooms, herbal products and baked goods, though the range varies with the season. Reservations are sensible at popular rural restaurants during summer and winter weekends.

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Best bars in Šumava

Evening life in Šumava is generally quiet and community-oriented rather than club-based. Traditional pubs, hotel bars and restaurant lounges form the main social spaces in mountain towns such as Železná Ruda, Kašperské Hory, Sušice and Vimperk, with Czech beer, local conversation and simple food more common than late-night entertainment. Železná Ruda has the strongest resort atmosphere, particularly during winter and summer holidays, while smaller villages usually become still after dinner. Some venues host occasional live music or seasonal events, but programmes and opening arrangements change. Visitors looking for cocktails, theatre or a larger choice of late-night venues will find more options in the regional cities outside Šumava, such as Plzeň or České Budějovice. In the mountains, evenings are better suited to a meal, a drink by the fire, stargazing or an early start for the following day’s walk.

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Best nightclubs in Šumava

Evening life in Šumava is generally quiet and community-oriented rather than club-based. Traditional pubs, hotel bars and restaurant lounges form the main social spaces in mountain towns such as Železná Ruda, Kašperské Hory, Sušice and Vimperk, with Czech beer, local conversation and simple food more common than late-night entertainment. Železná Ruda has the strongest resort atmosphere, particularly during winter and summer holidays, while smaller villages usually become still after dinner. Some venues host occasional live music or seasonal events, but programmes and opening arrangements change. Visitors looking for cocktails, theatre or a larger choice of late-night venues will find more options in the regional cities outside Šumava, such as Plzeň or České Budějovice. In the mountains, evenings are better suited to a meal, a drink by the fire, stargazing or an early start for the following day’s walk.

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Best shops in Šumava

Shopping in Šumava is centred on historic market towns, small resort centres and local producers rather than large retail complexes. Kašperské Hory, Sušice, Železná Ruda, Vimperk and Volary offer everyday shops, bakeries, cafés, outdoor equipment and independent outlets, while their markets and seasonal stalls may carry honey, preserves, mushrooms, herbal products, ceramics, woodwork and locally made gifts. Visitors should distinguish regional products from generic Czech souvenirs, particularly when buying glass, textiles or wooden objects sold in tourist areas. Farm shops and small food producers can be a more meaningful source of mountain specialities, though opening patterns are often seasonal. The larger towns on Šumava’s approaches provide broader supermarkets and practical supplies before heading into remote valleys. Antiques, local-history books, postcards and craft goods are especially appropriate purchases in a borderland region where forestry, glassmaking, mining and vanished villages have left a strong material heritage.

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Šumava essentials

Currency and Payment
Šumava uses the Czech koruna, written as Kč and coded CZK, like the rest of Czechia. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, museums and transport ticket offices, especially in resort towns. Carry some Czech cash for small cafés, rural inns, parking machines, information points and occasional self-service facilities in remote areas. Prices and card acceptance can vary between the better-served western resorts and small villages, and paying in euros is not a reliable substitute for Czech currency.
Safety
Šumava is generally a calm destination, but outdoor preparation matters more than urban security concerns. Weather can change quickly on exposed ridges, and forests, bogs and long distances can make a route harder than it appears on a map. Keep to marked paths, allow daylight for the return journey and use a detailed map or dependable navigation device. In winter, ice and snow can affect roads and trails; cyclists should expect steep gradients and changing surfaces. Follow park notices, do not enter restricted areas and take care near water, fallen trees and unguarded edges.
Emergency Situations
The Czech emergency number 112 connects to the integrated emergency services, while 150 reaches the fire and rescue service, 155 the medical rescue service and 158 the police. Give your exact location, preferably using a marked trail, map reference or nearby settlement, because mountain response can take time. In an outdoor emergency, remain with an injured person where it is safe and conserve phone battery. For incidents near the Czech-German or Czech-Austrian border, state clearly which side of the frontier you are on.
Do's and Don'ts
Stay on marked paths and respect temporary closures, especially around peatlands, nesting areas and forest-management zones. Close gates, keep dogs under control where regulations require it and take litter away with you. Do not pick protected plants, light fires outside authorised places or drive onto forestry and park tracks. At churches, chapels and cemeteries, dress and behave respectfully. Czech dining etiquette is generally relaxed, but tipping is customary when service has been satisfactory; round up or leave an appropriate amount rather than assuming it is included.
Local Tips
The most rewarding itineraries often combine a mountain walk with a historic settlement rather than focusing only on a single viewpoint. Kašperské Hory, Sušice and Železná Ruda are useful service centres, while smaller places such as Modrava, Kvilda, Stožec and Volary provide different perspectives on the upland landscape. Autumn can be quieter than summer, but some facilities reduce their operating schedules. In winter, check snow and grooming conditions before planning a cross-country route, and remember that short distances on a mountain map may involve substantial ascent.
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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 sh-leh-dah-noh]
YesAno[ah-no]
NoNe[neh]
Please/You're welcomeProsím[pro-seem]
Thank youDěkuji[dyeh-koo-yee]
Excuse me/SorryOmlouvám se[ohm-loh-vahm seh]
How are you?Jak se máš?[yak seh mahsh]
Fine. And you?Dobře. A ty?[dob-rzeh. ah tee]
Do you speak English?Mluvíš anglicky?[mluh-veesh ahn-glits-kee]
I don't understandNerozumím[neh-roh-zoo-meem]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseChtěl bych vidět menu, prosím[kht-yehl bikh veed-yet meh-noo, pro-seem]
I don't eat meatJím maso[yeem mah-so]
Cheers!Na zdraví![nah zdrah-vee]
I would like to pay, pleaseChtěl bych zaplatit, prosím[kht-yehl bikh zah-plah-teet, pro-seem]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Pomoc![poh-mots]
Go away!Jdi pryč![yee preech]
Call the Police!Zavolej policii![zah-voh-lay poh-lit-see-ee]
Call a doctor!Zavolej doktora![zah-voh-lay dok-toh-rah]
I'm lostZtratil jsem se[ztrah-teel ysem seh]
I'm illJsem nemocný[ysem neh-mots-nee]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Chtěl bych koupit...[kht-yehl bikh koh-oop-it]
I'm just lookingJen se dívám[yen seh dee-vahm]
How much is it?Kolik to stojí?[koh-leek toh stoh-yee]
That's too expensiveTo je moc drahé[toh yeh mots drah-heh]
Can you lower the price?Můžeš snížit cenu?[moo-zesh sneez-it tseh-noo]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Kolik je hodin?[koh-leek yeh hoh-deen]
It's one o'clockJe jedna hodina[yeh yed-nah hoh-dee-nah]
Half past (10)Půl (10)[pool (10)]
MorningRáno[rah-no]
AfternoonOdpoledne[od-poh-led-neh]
EveningVečer[veh-cher]
YesterdayVčera[vcheh-rah]
TodayDnes[dnes]
TomorrowZítra[zee-trah]
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?[yah-kah yeh ah-dreh-sah]
Can you show me (on the map)?Můžeš mi to ukázat (na mapě)?[moo-zesh mee toh oo-kah-zaht (nah mah-peh)]
When's the next (bus)?Kdy jde další (autobus)?[kdee ydeh dahl-shee (ow-toh-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Jeden lístek (do ....)[yeh-den lees-tek (doh ....)]

History of Šumava

Early Settlement and Medieval Borderlands

Šumava’s high forested interior was settled more lightly than the surrounding valleys, but routes across the mountains connected Bohemia with Bavaria and the Danube lands. Medieval colonisation brought new villages, fields and religious foundations into the valleys and lower slopes. The Otava and Vltava headwaters supported communities whose livelihoods depended on woodland, grazing and trade. The region’s position at the edge of the Bohemian lands also gave it a lasting frontier character, visible in old roads, fortified sites and the distribution of historic settlements.

Gold Mining around Kašperské Hory

Gold mining became especially important around Kašperské Hory in the late Middle Ages, when the town developed under royal protection and benefited from deposits in the surrounding hills. Mining shaped local wealth, administration and settlement patterns, although extraction was technically difficult and fluctuated over time. Kašperk Castle, founded by King George of Poděbrady in the fifteenth century, helped guard routes through this strategically important part of the borderland. The town’s layout and mining landscape still express the importance of medieval mineral wealth.

Timber, Glass and Mountain Industries

From the early modern period onwards, Šumava’s economy increasingly relied on timber, water power, charcoal production and glassmaking. Forest resources supplied workshops and furnaces, while streams powered mills and helped move materials. Glassworks operated in several parts of the Bohemian Forest and created specialist communities whose products travelled well beyond the mountains. Seasonal farming remained essential, but forestry and craft industries connected remote settlements to wider commercial networks. Historic industrial traces and surviving mountain farmsteads recall this mixed economic system.

The Schwarzenberg Navigation Canal

The Schwarzenberg Navigation Canal was built in the late eighteenth century to move timber from the Šumava forests towards the Austrian side of the mountains and onward to the Danube basin. Its engineered channels, tunnels and water-control structures demonstrate the scale of early modern forestry and transport planning. Although commercial use later declined, preserved sections near the south-eastern Šumava border remain an important industrial and environmental heritage site. The canal also illustrates how the mountain range functioned as a shared economic space despite political borders.

A Multilingual Borderland before 1945

Before the Second World War, many Šumava settlements had predominantly German-speaking populations, while Czech-speaking communities were more prominent in other towns and valleys. This cultural geography produced distinctive local traditions, architecture and place names. The war and its aftermath brought profound change: the German-speaking population was expelled after 1945, and many settlements were resettled or declined. Some villages in the restricted border zone disappeared altogether. Chapels, cemeteries, ruins and altered field patterns preserve evidence of a society that was largely dismantled.

The Iron Curtain and Restricted Border Zone

During the Communist period, the frontier with West Germany and Austria became a heavily controlled border zone. Barbed-wire barriers, military installations and access restrictions limited movement through large areas of Šumava, while some former villages were demolished or left to decay. The restrictions also reduced intensive development in parts of the landscape, though this was achieved through coercion rather than conservation. After 1989, access was restored, border crossings reopened and the remaining traces of the Iron Curtain became part of the region’s modern historical interpretation.

National Park and Conservation since 1991

Šumava National Park was established in 1991, following the political changes that ended the restricted border regime. Together with the pre-existing Šumava Protected Landscape Area and neighbouring protected areas in Germany and Austria, it created a major conservation landscape in central Europe. Management has involved recurring debates about forest intervention, bark beetles, access and the balance between natural processes and local interests. For visitors, the result is a large network of marked routes through forests, wetlands, meadows and mountain valleys, accompanied by a stronger emphasis on ecological interpretation.

Šumava in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Šumava, Czechia

Discover the best of Šumava with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more for an unforgettable trip.

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Explore Šumava like never before with Evendo, the ultimate free travel guide app. Find attractions, book experiences, and get local tips—all in one place.

  • History of Šumava and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near me' feature
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Šumava, Czechia's hidden gem! Evendo is your ultimate travel companion, designed to make your trip to Šumava as seamless and enjoyable as possible. From detailed information on top attractions like the Boubín Forest, the Vydra River, and the iconic Šumava National Park to hidden gems like the quaint village of Kvilda, Evendo has it all. Enjoy local cuisine at renowned restaurants such as Pekárna Kvilda and Penzion U Šneka, or indulge in some retail therapy at charming local shops.

With Evendo, you can easily book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. No more endless searching; find everything you need in one place. The app offers rich information, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easy to plan and organize your trip.

Want to explore Šumava like a local? Use our curated local tips to discover the best bars, nightclubs, and activities. Navigate effortlessly through the app and around Šumava with our easy-to-use interface and 'Near me' feature, which shows you what's nearby no matter where you are. Plus, learn about the history of Šumava and get essential travel tips to make the most out of your visit.

Download Evendo now and embark on an unforgettable journey through Šumava. And the best part? The app is 100% free, with no in-app purchases or additional costs. Evendo also covers over 7,000 other destinations worldwide, so your next adventure is just a tap away.

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