Tips for trips

Podveský mlýn is located in Pošumaví – in the Chodsko region and the fringes of the Bohemian Forest (Český les) on the southwestern border of Bohemia. It includes an extensive area of Šumava foothills and overlaps into parts of the protected area and national park Šumava. The region has preserved its rich folk traditions, dialect and culture. Local folklore is remembered by various festivals. The whole area has great natural value and it is attractive for tourists not only for its selection of landmarks and monuments, but also an extensive net of cycling routes.

Lomeček

A former quarry now flooded with crystal-clear water, Lomeček has an approximate size of 200 x 40 m (max. depth of 9 m). The biggest underwater cabin in the Czech Republic is placed here. The site, with good visibility the whole year round, is suitable for divers – both beginners and experienced ones – that can get basic service on site. There is also a shipwreck, an artificial cave and an underwater platform in the pit. The site has a large roofed terrace (capacity of 200 persons), refreshments and home cooking, and a heated lounge available in winter.

Observation tower Koráb u Kdyně

The observation tower Koráb u Kdyně offers a beautiful view of the castle and observation tower Rýzmberk, the castle Nový Herštejn, the observation tower Bolfánek, Šumava and the Svatobor hill with an observation tower, the Kašperk castle, Můstek, Jezerní mountain, the mountains Javor and Ostrý, the German mountain Hoher Bogen, the Bohemian Forest and the castle Přimda.

Castle Rýzmberk

Castle Rýzmberk, built on the hill of the same name, played a significant role in Czech history. Without a doubt, it was founded in the second half of the 13th century, and named with the then fashionable German name Riesenberg (giant mountain). It stood in a strategic location, controlling the Všerubský pass, through which the important Řezenská trading route led into Bavaria.

Chodský castle in Domažlice

Chodský castle in Domažlice, today the Museum of Chodsko, was founded along with the town by the Bohemian king Přemysl Otakar II From the original medieval castle, seat of the king’s burgrave, reeve of Chodsko and place of sessions of the court of Chodsko, only the narrow, cylindrical tower has been conserved. After the great fire in August 1592, the castle was laid to waste and in ruins. Baroque conversion during 1726-27 and reconstruction in 1830 gave the castle its current appearance.

Veselá hora pilgrimage site

he place of pilgrimage on Veselá hora (Veselá mountain) is known among locals as Svatý Vavřineček and can be found in a hamlet by the southern edge of Domažlice. Some sources state that the chapel was built here by Duke Boleslav I to commemorate victory over the Hungarians, but this has not been confirmed.

Čerchov

This is the highest peak of the Bohemian Forest (1,042 m) and an inseparable symbol of the landscape in the surroundings of Domažlice. Until 1990, the peak was occupied by the army and was inaccessible. After the November Revolution in 1989 Čerchov at least partially regained the function of an imaginary guardian of the Bohemian Forest.

Cave Salka

Near the village of Pasečnice, on the hillside of an overgrown peak of Skalka (620 metres a.s.l.), is the mountain cavern Salka, with its bottom and the adjacent “tunnels” flooded with water up to 5 m.

Dragon lake in Eschlkam

Eschlkam lies 500 m a.s.l. and, historically, it is the oldest known settlement between Bavaria and Bohemia. Eschlkam used to be the stable economic centre of Hoher Bogen. Trade with Bohemia and its defence system have lent this place its character. Even now, the history of the town is reflected in its characteristic layout. The houses are lined up close to each other, as if they wanted to protect the large church, which is located at the highest point. The beautiful location of Eschlkam has been described by the native writer Maximilian Schmidt, also called Waldschmidt, in his books.

National reserve Černé and Čertovo lake

The national reserve Černé and Čertovo lake lies on the slopes of the Jezerní mountain (1,343 m), which belongs to it, about 4 km to the north-northeast from Železná Ruda. The lakes originated by the indentation of an iceberg. The Čertovo lake has an area of about 10 ha and a depth of about 37 metres at its deepest.

Bílá Strž

The romantic valley of the middle reaches of Bílý potok (White brook, one of the streams that feed the water reservoir Nýrsko), with the largest waterfall in Šumava, almost 14 metres high, is located about 4 km south of Hojsova Stráž and about 10 km northwest of Železná Ruda.

Find more tips for trips here.