The Bohemian Forest starts right outside the door
Mountain lakes, viewpoints, a castle ruin and quiet walks in the woods. A little guide to the area around Zelená Lhota, Hamry and Hojsova Stráž.
A little guide
Where to go from Berry
From short walks nearby to full-day hikes. We've picked the places we would send our own guests to.
Choose by mood
- A walk, not a full-day hikeÚhlavský luhHojsova Stráž
- A trip with a storyKřížkovPajrek
- For photosBílá stržOstrýČerné jezero
- With childrenAstronomical clockČerné jezeroŠpičák
- A whole day in the mountainsOstrýRidge trail
- Away from the crowdsBrčálníkPrenetÚhlavský luh
- CyclingCycling loopBikepark
- One more lakeLaka
Around Berry
Shorter trips in Hamry, Hojsova Stráž and above Zelená Lhota. Peace and quiet, local stories and no crowds.
- 01
Úhlavský luh
Boardwalks and the quiet of the upper Úhlava
The nature trail follows boardwalks through the floodplain of the upper Úhlava river, between wetlands and past signs of beavers at work. Five stops tell the story of the local nature and how the landscape has changed.
Good to knowPedestrians only; the boardwalks can be slippery after rain.
- Starting point
- Hamry – Kollerův dvůr farmstead
- Route
- 4 km, nature trail
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
Photo: Adam Hauner, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- 02
Křížkov pilgrimage site
A forgotten place in the woods above Hamry
A forest path to a place pilgrims once walked to. The restored stone foundations of the former chapel remain, along with a reminder of the fate of the border villages.
- Starting point
- Hamry
- Route
- 4.6 km, themed trail
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
Photo: Bernard Bakala, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- 03
The Šumava astronomical clock in Hojsova Stráž
An unusual stop in a mountain village
An astronomical clock with chimes, an old church and views over the valley. A pleasant afternoon when you don't feel like a long hike, or a stop on the way to Pancíř.
Good to knowThe midday chime is the highlight. Whether the clock is playing and whether you can go inside is best checked on the spot.
- Starting point
- Hojsova Stráž 193
- Difficulty
- Easy
Photo: RomanM82, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- 04
Prenet and St Kunigunde's chapel
Views and an old pilgrimage story
Prenet, at the end of the Pancíř ridge, offers views of the Šumava ridges and far across the Klatovy region. St Kunigunde's chapel stands in the saddle below the summit.
Good to knowThe chapel is in the saddle, not on the summit. The ridge trail from Pancíř also runs over Prenet.
- Starting point
- Hamry
- Route
- 15 km, loop over Prenet
- Difficulty
- Moderate to demanding
Photo: Jan Kameníček, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- 05
Brčálník nature trail
Meadows, a viaduct and Šumava wetlands
Mountain meadows, views of the ridges and quiet wetlands beneath a railway viaduct. The trail introduces the nature and history of a settlement most people simply pass on their way to better-known places.
Good to knowFrom Zadní Hamry it's another 3 km or so to the start of the trail along the green route, one way.
- Starting point
- Brčálník, reached from Zadní Hamry
- Route
- 4.5 km, nature trail
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Photo: Sasik2, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Šumava classics
Lakes, the highest waterfall and the peaks people come to the Bohemian Forest for. Start at the Špičácké sedlo saddle or at Hamry – Hojsova Stráž station.
- 06
Velký Ostrý (Großer Osser)
A rocky twin summit on the Bavarian border
You can spot Ostrý from afar by its two rocky peaks. From the summit rocks you can see the Šumava ridges and far into Bavaria — a trip worth every metre of the climb.
Good to knowThe distance is for the way up only, so plan for the walk back too. The summit is 1,293 m above sea level; the hut below it is already in Bavaria.
- Starting point
- Hamry – Hojsova Stráž station
- Route
- 8 km one way
- Difficulty
- Demanding, with a steep climb
Photo: Rosa-Maria Rinkl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- 07
Bílá strž waterfall
The highest waterfall in the Bohemian Forest
The White Stream tumbles down rocky steps in the middle of a deep forest. A spot for photographers and for anyone who just wants to listen to the water for a while.
Good to knowProtected area: stay on the marked paths and viewpoints. From the Špičácké sedlo saddle via Černé jezero it's about 7 km one way.
- Starting point
- Hamry – Hojsova Stráž station
- Route
- About 5 km one way
- Difficulty
- Moderate to demanding
Photo: Mgr. Zdeněk Kubeš, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- 08
Černé and Čertovo lakes
Two glacial lakes in one trip
Černé jezero (Black Lake) lies beneath a towering lake wall, Čertovo jezero (Devil's Lake) in a quiet landscape beyond the ridge. Between them you cross the main European watershed — each lake drains into a different sea.
Good to knowThe loop is not for bikes, and in the reserve you must stay on the paths. With children, just go as far as Černé jezero: about 3.6 km one way, mostly on tarmac.
- Starting point
- Špičácké sedlo saddle
- Route
- 8.6 km loop, about 2 h 45 min walking
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Photo: David Paloch (Caroig), CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
- 09
Pancíř
A lookout tower and mountain hut above Železná Ruda
At the top there's a mountain hut with a lookout tower; on a clear day you can see far beyond the Bohemian Forest. A trip in its own right, and the start of the ridge trail over Můstek and Prenet.
Good to knowCheck the chairlift and tower opening times before you go. Don't confuse Pancíř with the lookout tower on Špičák.
- Starting point
- Špičácké sedlo saddle, or by chairlift
- Route
- 2.5 km one way, on the red route
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Photo: Lubor Ferenc, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
More to discover
For those who already know the lakes: a castle ruin above Nýrsko and the smallest glacial lake in the Bohemian Forest.
- 10
Pajrek castle ruin
A quiet castle ruin above Nýrsko
A forest walk to the remains of a medieval castle. From the walls there are views across the countryside, to the Šumava ridges and the Nýrsko reservoir.
Good to knowThe ground around the ruin is uneven. The Nýrsko reservoir supplies drinking water, so swimming is not allowed.
- Starting point
- Nýrsko
- Route
- About an hour's walk to the castle
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
Photo: Art Jarka, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- 11
Laka lake
The smallest glacial lake in the Bohemian Forest
The smallest, shallowest and highest glacial lake in the Bohemian Forest, surrounded by quiet woods and traces of vanished settlements. A tip for those who already know Černé and Čertovo jezero.
Good to knowThe route via Gsenget is closed from 15 March to 15 July to protect the capercaillie. Check that it's open before you go.
- Starting point
- Nová Hůrka
- Route
- 4.2 km one way
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
Photo: Prochaine, volné dílo, Wikimedia Commons
Active, all day long
A ridge trail that ends in Zelená Lhota, a cycling loop and Špičák with its chairlift and bike park.
- 12
Pancíř – Můstek – Prenet ridge trail
A mountain hike that ends in Zelená Lhota
From Pancíř along the ridge via Můstek and Prenet, past clearings with views of Ostrý and inland. At the end, the green route leads you down to Zelená Lhota.
Good to knowThe train is handy for getting to the start; check the timetable beforehand. The variant from the centre of Železná Ruda is about 17.5 km.
- Starting point
- Pancíř
- Route
- 12 km to Zelená Lhota
- Difficulty
- Moderate to demanding
Photo: Krabat77, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- 13
By bike through Zelená Lhota
Hamry, Hojsova Stráž and the Špičácké sedlo saddle
The hilly loop links the Hamry valley, Zelená Lhota, Hojsova Stráž and the mountain saddle of Špičácké sedlo. You'll see more places without moving the car.
Good to knowCheck the route and conditions on an up-to-date cycling map. For more of a challenge, there are 24, 30 and 33 km loops from Hamry.
- Starting point
- Špičácké sedlo saddle
- Route
- 25 km loop
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Photo: Art Jarka, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- 14
Špičák
Lookout tower, chairlift and bike park
Up by chairlift or on foot, the view from the tower and, in season, the bike park. A good choice when you fancy a change from hiking. In winter there are slopes of every difficulty.
Good to knowThe tower, chairlift and bike park open seasonally, and the times change every year.
- Starting point
- Ski & Bike Špičák
- Difficulty
- Depends on the activity
Photo: Roman Mifek, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
A few tips for the road
Distances from the start
Route lengths are measured from the starting point given, not from the guesthouse. Where a route is one way, allow for the return too.
Take the train to the start
Hamry – Hojsova Stráž station and the Zelená Lhota stop are on the line to Železná Ruda. The train takes you to the start and back from the ridge trail.
Nature and weather
The lakes and Bílá strž are in a protected area, so stay on the marked paths. Chairlifts and lookout towers open seasonally; in winter expect snow and ice.
The Bohemian Forest
Off to the Bohemian Forest. Truly away.
Berry lies near Hojsova Stráž and Železná Ruda, beneath the Šumava ridges. The Bohemian Forest draws you outdoors in every season — and in the evening you have somewhere to come back to.
- 01
Summer
Hiking
Marked trails past mountain lakes, streams and meadows. For a short walk or a whole day up on the ridges.
02Summer
Cycling
Paved cycle paths for an easy ride and tougher mountain routes where you'll meet more trees than people.
03Winter
Skiing and cross-country
Slopes of every difficulty on nearby Špičák and cross-country trails through deep forests. Afterwards, something warm in the restaurant.
04Spring and autumn
Off season
Quieter paths, colourful forests and mushrooms. Time for slow walks and the peace and quiet people come here for.
Where to find us
Zelená Lhota, Bohemian Forest
The guesthouse stands in Zelená Lhota near Hojsova Stráž and Železná Ruda, right on the road to Železná Ruda. Many trips start right from the front door.
Penzion Berry, Zelená Lhota 119340 22 Nýrsko
Destinace Šumava žije
ŠumavaCARD
Free for guests staying two nights or more
Stay at least two nights and you get the Šumava Card — a QR code on your phone that gives you discounts and perks at Destinace Šumava žije partners all over the Bohemian Forest.
Frequently asked questions
Before you set off
For anything else, just ask us.
+420 732 478 032Where can we go on trips from Berry?
Popular destinations nearby include Černé and Čertovo jezero (Black and Devil's Lake), the Bílá strž waterfall and the Pancíř lookout tower. We are happy to recommend a route to suit the weather and your fitness.
Is the area good for a winter stay too?
Yes. In winter you can go skiing on Špičák or cross-country skiing on trails through the Šumava forests.
Is it worth coming in spring or autumn?
Definitely. Outside the main season, Šumava offers quieter trails, views and nature that changes with every season.
What is the Šumava Card and how do I get it?
Berry is part of the Destinace Šumava žije initiative. We will confirm the details of availability and conditions of the Šumava Card when you book.
