The best hiking routes in Přírodní park Český les

Přírodní park Český les covers a long, forested border ridge characterized by a dense canopy of spruce and beech, interspersed with damp clearings and the ruins of abandoned stone settlements. Unlike the more open, rocky summits of the nearby Šumava, this area is defined by its continuous, gently undulating woodland paths and a quiet, enclosed atmosphere. Walking here means navigating a mix of damp forestry tracks, grassy forest rides, and occasional asphalt lanes originally built for border patrols.

The landscape bears the clear imprint of its twentieth-century isolation. You will notice old stone foundations, overgrown apple orchards, and drainage ditches slowly being reclaimed by peat bogs and wet meadows. Underfoot, the terrain is mostly soft forest soil, pine needles, and patches of mud in the lower-lying depressions, with wooden footbridges occasionally helping you cross the headwaters of small streams.

This park is best suited for those who prefer long, steady walks through deep woods rather than dramatic climbs or wide-open panoramic views. While the highest points like Čerchov offer lookout towers, most of the route keeps you within the quiet shelter of the trees, where the main variety comes from the transition between dark plantation forestry and boggy, moss-covered valleys.