National park · Czech Republic
Šumava National ParkŠumava
Enter Šumava for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈150 CZK), drive to the Boubín trailhead, hike the Boubín summit (2 h) in spring‑early summer; avoid peak winter crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
680 km² (263 sq mi)263 sq mi (680 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Apr–May, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Czech Republic ↗Czechia is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Czech Republic ↗The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK), not the euro: decline dynamic currency conversion and avoid street exchange booths.
- Czech Republic ↗Motorways need an electronic vignette bought before you drive on them.
- South Bohemia ↗Use IDOS (jizdnirady.idnes.cz) for all train and bus timetables; regional buses are sparse on Saturdays.
- South Bohemia ↗Several operators run the České Budějovice–Český Krumlov and Šumava lines; check the operator and buy at the right desk or app.
At a glance
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Area
- 680 km² (263 sq mi)263 sq mi (680 km²)
- Park covers approx 680 km² of forest, peat bogs and lakes on the Czech side of the Bohemian Forest (check).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- České Budějovice
Šumava National Park protects the Czech portion of the Bohemian Forest, a low‑mountain range of mixed pine‑spruce woods, peat bogs and glacial lakes that border Germany and Austria.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteŠumava National Park is a protected area of the Czech Republic.
Size and age
680 km² (263 sq mi)263 sq mi (680 km²) · national park since 1991
Park covers approx 680 km² of forest, peat bogs and lakes on the Czech side of the Bohemian Forest (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: České Budějovice.
Why go
- Extensive network of marked hiking trails across forested ridges and deep ravines.
- Boubín summit offers panoramic views of the Bohemian Forest.
- Cross‑border nature with adjacent Bavarian and Austrian forest parks.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow; limited services.
- FebCold, early winter conditions.
- MarMelting snow, fewer hikers.
- AprMild temps, blooming flora.
- MayWarm, trail dry, full services.
- JunWarm, occasional thunderstorms.
- JulPeak summer, busier trails.
- AugWarm, still busy.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds.
- OctAutumn colours, cooler.
- NovEarly snow, limited facilities.
- DecCold, possible snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European lynx (rare sightings)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Black storkMay–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Mushroom foraging (boletus, chanterelles)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Boubín Visitor Centre | Gate, information desk, trailheads to Boubín summit and surrounding loops. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Čertova stěna area | Steep canyon trails and viewpoint over Vltava valley. | Open with park ticket; some sections require marked paths. |
| Lake Plešné region | Scenic lakes, picnic spots, and cycling routes. | Open; no additional fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | CZK 150 (≈ US$8) | person | Standard fee for day visitors (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Dogs
- Leashed in all zones; off‑lead only in designated areas.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use provided grills at campsites.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permit.
- Collecting flora
- Prohibited; only pick mushrooms in marked foraging zones.
Where to stay
Near the park
Sušice town
Guesthouses and small hotels 15 km (9.3 mi) from park gate.Guesthouses and small hotels 9.3 mi (15 km) from park gate.
Near the park
Klatovy
Mid‑range hotels and B&Bs 20 km (12 mi) away.Mid‑range hotels and B&Bs 12 mi (20 km) away.
Safety
Weather change on high ridges medium
Getting lost on Čertova stěna high
Wildlife encounters (lynx, bears) low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car with parking.
- Short, paved loops around Lake Plešné suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in certified eco‑lodges, use public transport where possible.
- Leave no trace; pack out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Šumava?
The standard day‑visitor fee is about 150 CZK per person; children under 6 enter free (check).
What are the best hikes in Šumava?
Boubín summit (moderate, 2 h), Čertova stěna canyon walk (hard, 3–4 h), and the Lake Plešné loop (easy, 5 km).
When is the best time to visit Šumava?
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September) give mild weather and fewer crowds; winter is possible for ski tours but many services close.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
No. Camping is allowed only in designated campsites; wild camping is prohibited.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Yes, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Šumava National Park
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