- Official website: npsumava.cz
- Phone: +420 388 450 111
The Šumava National Park is located in the Czech Republic and is part of the large forest area of Bohemian Forest. The reserve attracts its impassable thickets, the abundance of rivers, marshes and lakes , which have remained since the ice age.
Geography and climate
The Bohemian forest is located on the territory of three states: Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The Šumava Reserve is located along the German-Austrian-Czech border. The highest point of the reserve in the Czech Republic is Mount Plekhi, its height is 1378 m. The mountain range extends from the city of Khoden to Vishy-Brod, its total length is about 140 km.
The average annual temperature in the area of Sumava is +3 ° С ... + 6 ° С. Snow lies 5-6 months a year, the height of the cover can reach 1 m.
Description
The Šumava became a protected zone in 1963. In 1990 he entered the list of biosphere zones of UNESCO. A year later, the Czech Republic declared the reserve a national park . Surprisingly, in the park there are still places where the human foot has not set foot.
If you look at the map of Sumava, you can see the swamps and a lot of rivers that come from them. Local marshes are an important water reservoir in the Czech Republic.
What is interesting about the park Šumava?
The national park is visited annually by thousands of tourists, mainly from the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. Nature is of primary interest. Many tourists do not know where the highest mountains of Sumava are. They are located in the north. Their slopes are densely covered with forests, and the tops are covered with snow. One of the highest mountains of the Bohemian forest is Pantsir, its height is 1214 m. It is said that in good weather, even the Alps are visible from the top. Mount Spicak is only a few meters away, but this did not prevent it from becoming the center of winter sports.
Great interest among tourists is caused by lakes, which are still from the glacial period. The most famous among them:
- The devil's lake. The largest lake in the Czech Republic. Known for its legend about the devil, who allegedly drowned here with a stone on the tail (hence the name).
- The Black Lake . The dense forests that surround the pond create a reflection in it in dark tones, so it seems that the water in it is black.
By the way, colors are surprised not only by lakes, but also by all reservoirs in Sumava. Because of the strong mineralization, the water in them has an emerald color that seems unearthly.
Interesting places also include:
- The source of the Vltava. It is located in the north-west of the park.
- The virgin forest of Bubin. It is located in the territory of Šumava and was one of the first natural zones in the world to be protected.
- The waterfall of Bila Strzh.
Who lives in Šumava?
Dense forests have always been home to many species of animals, and inaccessible green corners could provide them with a quiet life. However, poachers, who are active in the park, managed to destroy all large animals, for example, moose and lynx, over the last hundred years. Workers of the reserve are trying their best to preserve the fauna, but so far its existence is still under threat. There are many species of birds in the park. Today you can see here:
- grouse;
- wood grouses;
- black grouse;
- woodpeckers;
- filaments.
In reservoirs live rare fish, one of them - pearl fish.
Where to stay in Šumava?
On the territory of the reserve there are several mini-hotels where you can stay overnight, eat and get some information about the routes. The most popular among them are along the road number 167, which runs through the northern part of the park:
- Ubytování U Pily;
- Penzion U Malíků;
- Penzion Panský dům.
Tourism in Šumava
The Šumava National Park is perfect for hiking and cycling. In the reserve there are many paths and paths along which it is safe to enter the thicket. They are laid so as not to disturb the local landscapes, but, on the contrary, to become a part of them. Most of the routes are suitable for traveling with children. Difficulties can arise only if you want to visit some lakes, for example, Chertovo, or climb the mountains.
Interesting Facts
- The Czech forest. Šumava is the official name that all tourists know, but among the Germans the reserve is better known as the Czech Forest. This is how it was called in documents dated to the 12th century. Perhaps that's why the Germans today call it that way.
- The village is more often. In the remotest part of the reserve there is a small village. Experienced tourists can visit it if they want, and for beginners this way can be insurmountable.
Where and how best to go to Šumava?
To get to the reserve is better with Klatovy. The road from it leads to the northern part of the park. This is the most convenient option for tourists who want to visit the park on their own. In the city are roads number 22 and 27, and from it to Šumava - the highway E53.
You can also come to the reserve by bus Prague- Shumava, which departs from the main bus station of the capital. The journey takes about 4 hours.