Sumava National Park - the Bohemian forest

Sumava National Park or Bohemian forest is a vast gree, forest area located in south-western Czechia. The majestic Bohemian forest is one of the largest green spaces in central Europe, which reaches almost 700.000 square kilometers in its size. 

The Bohemian forest borders with Germany and Austria, and is also near the towns of Cesky Krumlov and Ceske Budejovice. Because of its size and characteristic large green space, it also got a nickname as "the green roof of Europe." 

The landscape and guided tours

The exciting part about the Bohemian forest is that it has something for everyone, whether you want to be more active or have a more relaxed time, the choice is yours. The national park is filled with hiking trails and excellent biking paths, as well as boating expeditions. In the winter months, the park is a great opportunity to do some skiing or cross-country skiing through the stunning green forest pathways. During the warmer months of the year, you have the option to spend the night at a camping site. There are numerous different options for an overnight stay in the park area. 

Before you start venturing around, it's highly recommended for you to visit one of the seven visitor centers, where you can get a map of the local area and the paths. If you wish, you can also get a certified guide who will be able to take you around, depending on your interests and ambitions you have. 

Mountain peaks and glacial lakes

My recommendation is to reach the top of the Meridian mountain and the Polednik tower from which you can get a fantastic view of the surroundings. You can also climb up a different mountain top and get a similar view from the tower-top of Boubin and Javornik mountains. If you are lucky and the skies are clear, you will have a magnificent view of the mountain ranges in your vicinity. 

The Sumava National Park is well known for its glacial lakes, which are clear as crystal. The deepest and probably the most beautiful lakes in the national park are the Devil and the Black lakes (Certovo and Cerne). The only challenging part is their accessibility, hence why a map or potentially even a guide would come handy to be safe during your exploration. 

Another reason why I would highly suggest getting a map of the Bohemian Forest from the local visitor center is because of its clear and concise markings of the area. The map shows a great visual of the hiking trails and also how (color) they are marked in real life. It includes the cyclist trails, the look-out towers, and where you can stay overnight should you wish to do so. Most importantly, the map will also mark the elevation of the route, the difficulty of a path, the length in the distance as well as the approximate time it should take to reach your desired destination. 

There is no reason why you shouldn't be positively impressed with 'Europe's Green Roof,' it's full of charming nature, views and peaks, animals and experiences.

Šumava National Park

XJCM+R7 Borová Lada, Czechia