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Cycling in the footsteps of the Šumava’s waters
The cycle route from Špičácké sedlo takes you through several places where water appears in various forms. From the calm waters of Černé Lake, you’ll continue along a wilder stretch towards Bílá Strž and finally into the countryside around Hamry, where the mountainous landscape gradually gives way to a valley setting. Set off directly from the OREA Hotel Špičák or the OREA Resort Horizont Šumava, or from the public car park at Špičácké sedlo. Before you set off on your bike, don’t forget to pack a snack at breakfast. At OREA, you can put together your own snack to suit your taste and pack it into the bags provided.
Route details
Length: 21.5 km (from the Špičácké sedlo car park) / 23.3 km (from OREA Hotel Špičák) / 24.9 km (from OREA Resort Horizont)
Bike type: trekking, mountain, e-bike
Difficulty: moderate
Elevation gain: 510 m (from the car park) / 571 m (from OREA Hotel Špičák) / 597 m (from OREA Resort Horizont)
Surfaces: mainly tarmac and hard-packed gravel tracks
In the Šumava National Park, cyclists may only ride on roads, local tracks and routes designated by the Šumava National Park Authority. Before setting off, please check the current route and any road closures.
Where does the route go?
The route does not merely showcase the natural beauty of water. Around Černé Lake and Hamry, you will also come across engineering monuments and sites linked to the use of hydropower. It was just below Černé Lake that the first pumped-storage hydroelectric power station in what was then Czechoslovakia was built; in the valley around Hamry, water powered the operations of the former Gustavsthal paper mill, and later returned in the form of small hydroelectric power stations.
This trip is suitable for a touring bike, a mountain bike or an e-bike. Expect a mountainous route and varied terrain. The beauty of the route lies in the ever-changing surroundings. The circuit takes you through the Šumava Mountains, past lakes, streams and forests, along old paths beneath the Královský hvozd and along small technical trails in the countryside.
You can use the Špičácké sedlo car park as your starting point, but it is also possible to join the route from the OREA Hotel Špičák and OREA Resort Horizont. If you’re returning to OREA Resort Horizont from your trip, bear in mind that there’s a steeper climb at the end.
The mountain pass in the Šumava Mountains between the peaks of Špičák and Pancíř lies at an altitude of approximately 980 m. The road from Železná Ruda to Nýrsko passes through here, and hiking trails lead from the large car park to Černé Lake, Pancíř and Bílá Strž.
The largest natural lake in the Czech Republic was formed by glacial activity and lies at the foot of Jezerní hora. It was here that the first pumped-storage hydroelectric power station in what was then Czechoslovakia was built.
Bílá Strž is the highest waterfall in the Šumava Mountains. The cascades on the Bílý stream have a total height of 14 metres.
The U Tetřeva self-service bar offers simple refreshments and operates on a self-service basis. The selection may vary, so it’s best to think of it as a nice bonus along the way, rather than a guaranteed main meal.
It is here that the natural theme of water intertwines with the history of industry and hydroelectric power. Water from the Úhlava and Bílý potok streams was vital for the operations of the former Gustavsthal paper mill, as well as for the later hydroelectric projects in the surrounding area. The route leads past a historic set of gears with a Pelton turbine and several small hydroelectric power stations.
