Embark on a 2025 Wilderness Adventure: Explore the Černohorský Bog and Enchanting Šumava Forest

For those who enjoy adventurous trails through the wilderness, the Šumava region offers thirty-five different expeditions. These journeys allow visitors to explore less accessible parts of Šumava National Park. Guided tours can include unique destinations, such as the home of the river pearl mussel—the Vltava meadow, which is typically off-limits to hikers. Another excursion takes nature enthusiasts to see habitats of beavers, wolves, and the homes of grouse, including visits to the Zhůr breeding grounds, the Luzny forest, and along the Cold Vltava upstream, among others. You can also wander through the Kepel Wetlands where the ground feels uneven beneath your feet, explore the Black Mountain Swamp, visit the deepest valley in the area known as Brčálník, or trek to Žlíbský and Hadí vrch, along with discovering the Městišt’ Gorge near Čachrov, and remnants of a glacier close to the largest Black Lake in Šumava. There are also multiple two-day trails on various sides of the park. Among the popular two-day expeditions is venturing around Třístoličník, where hikers can spend the night in a mountain hut at the summit, or exploring the Šumava plains toward Ostrý peak.

The Beaver Expedition takes you to a lesser-known area within the Protected Landscape Zone near the scenic Thistle River. Tourists will have the opportunity to see the beaver’s habitat, including signs of their activity such as dams, lodges, gnawed trees, and their pathways. An interesting aspect of beaver behavior is their role in water retention within the landscape, and you’ll get to explore various ponds and pools. The guide will ensure that visitors get a close-up view of this fascinating habitat without getting their feet wet.
Popular Modrava Plains expeditions guide visitors through the heart of this central area, which stretches into the nearby Bavarian Forest National Park. The peat bogs here are vital for numerous rare plant species that have adapted uniquely to the challenging mountain and acidic conditions. Many of the local animals are also at risk of extinction. The ruffed grouse is particularly notable as it thrives in the Modrava moors, hosting the largest grouse population in the Czech Republic. The common grouse is another endangered species often found on these trails. Your guide will take you to their habitats around Soumarský Bridge, Vltava Meadow, and Březina Peat Bog.The Wolf Expeditions begin at the Srní Visitor Centre, where participants will not only discover the life of this remarkable animal, but also intriguing locations in the surrounding Srní and Modrava areas. Wolves play a key role in nature, and the expansive landscapes of the national park provide them with ample shelter and food. Often regarded as a symbol of the wilderness, these guides will offer tours along pathways and to locations where wild wolves can be observed.

Join the journey With pearl fish through the Vltava Meadow. The upper Vltava River is not only one of the most stunning rivers for paddlers but also showcases some of the cleanest water in all of Bohemia. This river hosts organisms that have vanished in many other places. The riverbed is blanketed with Carpets and rare plants. The banks are home to various unique bird and insect species as well as mammals. The Vltava Meadow also boasts the most extensive valley peat bog in the entire Czech Republic, featuring flora and fauna that have ancient ties to the Ice Age in Šumava. Be aware that walking along the river banks can be quite challenging, necessitating navigation through dense vegetation, and confrontations with swarms of mosquitoes are common, so plan accordingly for this adventure.

Additionally, your guide will lead you through the Exploring the Rainforest on Tridentine Mountain, an area that has developed without significant human impact. This region harbors the largest and best-preserved mountain spruce forest of its natural kind in the Czech Republic. It stands in contrast to the more familiar economic forests, mainly because humans have not disrupted its natural growth by cutting down trees or planting new ones. The adventure also includes hiking through the Mountain Forest, which features the largest mixed mountain forest in Šumava, comprising a higher proportion of preserved beech trees—the Smrčiny massif. Both lynxes and grouse thrive in this setting.

Traditional two-day routes are usually listed in the calendar on the NP Šumava website (vychazky.npsumava.cz) as XL. Weekend cross-border adventures, such as ascents of Luzný, Falkenstein, Ostrý, and Velký Javor, are especially popular. Visitors can also explore the Tristoličník. Thanks to the guides, you will discover entirely new places, including previously hidden natural gems of Šumava. The guides will take you to no-interference resting areas where natural processes occur, which might pose risks to visitors. Therefore, it’s crucial to remember that while the wilderness offers stunning beauty, it can also be perilous and should be respected. Always practice extra caution and follow your guide’s recommendations.

Wilderness expeditions are tailored for physically fit participants, as they typically last at least half a day and often traverse open terrain away from established hiking paths. Guides embark on these adventures regardless of the weather, and participation is at one’s own risk. Last year’s prices ranged between 450 – 550 CZK for a one-day outing and around 1400 CZK for a two-day XL expedition. The wilderness guide registration system was launched on May 19, and you can book your adventure on the Šumava National Park website: vychazky.npsumava.cz. The first wilderness expedition this year is set for June, and the final one will occur on the last Sunday in October.