Surroundings

The Šumava forest starts right at our doorstep. The woods, the ridges and the Bavarian border are within walking or cycling distance, and in winter there is a ski lift around the corner and cross-country tracks straight from the house.

Hiking

Marked trails lead straight from the house into the forest and up onto the ridges above the Studená Vltava valley. The Stožec lookout tower is about half a day's walk; the Bavarian border crossing at Bučina is a bit further.

Cycling

Forest tracks and paved lanes combine into family loops or longer rides to our German neighbours. A cycle path runs over Bučina all the way to Finsterau, an easy half-day ride.

Skiing

The České Žleby ski area is minutes from the house: two lifts, 400 to 600 m runs with snowmaking and a small snowpark, ideal for kids and beginners. For big slopes head just across the border into Germany, where Skizentrum Mitterdorf has almost 6 km of runs up to 1,139 m and night skiing on Fridays. Cross-country skiers get dozens of kilometres of groomed trails right behind the house, linked to the network across all of Šumava.

Mushrooms and blueberries

Cross the road for porcini and other mushrooms. In July and August the slopes nearby are full of blueberries, an easy bucketful to pick even with kids in tow.

Šumava National Park

The house stands on the edge of the park, so the wilderness starts right past the fence. Peat bogs, mountain spruce forest and a kind of quiet you won't find in better-known mountains.

Šumava in pictures

A few shots from the area, the kind you'll come across on an ordinary walk from the house.

Groomed cross-country ski track in a winter forest

Places to visit

A handful of specific destinations people head to most often from here.

Stožec lookout tower

A wooden tower above Stožec with views over the Czech and Bavarian forest. A bit over an hour on foot from us.

Bučina and the Bavarian border

A vanished village on the ridge, now a hiking and cycling crossing into Finsterau. A piece of history and a trip across the border in one.

Chalupská slať peat bog

A peat bog with a boardwalk nature trail, a short drive towards Borová Lada. Fine with a pushchair too.

Plešné Lake

A glacial lake below the cliffs of Plechý, a bit further by car towards Nová Pec and then uphill on foot. Worth the climb.

Boubín primeval forest

One of the oldest nature reserves in the country, centuries-old spruce and fir. Under an hour's drive towards Kubova Huť.

Vchynice-Tetov floating canal

A historic timber-floating canal with a path along the water, a relaxed walk or ride. Close by, towards Zvonková.

Skizentrum Mitterdorf

The biggest slopes in the area, just across the border near Philippsreut. Wide runs, a children's area with a warm-up room and night skiing on Fridays. About half an hour by car via Strážný.