Sumava National Park

The Sumava National Park is the Czech Republic's largest national park and it is only a few miles from Cesky Krumlov.

The Sumava is a low mountain range with a range of landscapes within it.  There are a number of natural lakes and peat bogs formed by glaciers in  the Ice Age supporting a wide range of plants and animals, including the lynx and otter. There are deep ancient forests, where you half expect  to come across a witch's house in a clearing.

The Sumava’s beautiful landscape, perfect for walking and other outdoor  activities, attracts thousands of visitors. The Sumava’s cycle routes and footpaths are well signposted and you can buy clear detailed maps  from the local tourist information centres. In certain key places such  as on the Medved Trail and the Schwarzenberg Canal there are display  boards along the trails. In Winter some of the mountain bike trails turn into cross-country ski routes. Another activity in the Sumava for the  energetic is rock-climbing. The Sumava National Park has something for  everyone, from those who want quiet contemplation in nature to those who want thrills.

Public transport access to the Sumava National Park from Cesky Krumlov is  easiest by train - disembark at Nova Pec, Ovesna or Cerny Kriz. Or you  can take a ferry across the Lake Lipno from Horni Plana to the northern  shore and the Sumava.

You cannot explore the Sumava fully on daytrips from Cesky Krumlov. Much of the Park is inaccessible by public transport from Krumlov. You either  need a car or to stay in the Sumava itself. And the Sumava is worth it. There are castles such as that at Vikuv Kamen and Kasperk, industrial history and ancient towns such as Prachatice. Then there are the  villages in the higher parts of the mountains with their alpine houses  (so different from those you will have seen in Cesky Krumlov) and hay meadows rich in wild flowers. On a clear day the views can be  spectacular as you look from the Sumava towards the Alps.

The Sumava is a major holiday destination for the Czechs, Germans and the Dutch. If you feel like joining them, we offer a range of holiday accommodation from holiday cottages to hotels on our Czech Holidays website. Here are some to whet your appetite. Contact us at admin@czechtours.co.uk 

For cottages, hotels and holiday ideas click image above

For guided tours and self-guided tours of the Czech Republic click image above