Nature trail Medvědí stezka

Type: Walking route Distance: 13.7 km Difficulty: Medium Vertical 326 m Rating: 80/5

Bohemian Forest (Šumava), Czech Republic

Nature trail Medvědí stezka

After arriving at the train station Ovesná head to the end of the platform and turn left on paved road. Right at the beginning of the trail you will see the first board with a map and a variety of interesting facts about the Medvědí stezka (trail). Continue slightly uphill along an asphalt road. After about 300 meters turn off the asphalt road left onto a forest path. Follow the yellow hiking marks. Along the forest path (sometimes with steep uphill parts that could be difficult for children) you reach the Perníková skála (rock). Not far behind the rock be careful to not turn off the path. Sometimes has the path side roads and some hiking marks on trees are poorly visible.

After seeing boulders at Perníková Rock continue further along the yellow marks. Along a path with a view of surrounding countryside, through a pass, past boulders overgrown with moss you get to another rock called Soutěska Lapků. Not far from it is a Gothic portal.

Then continue along yellow hiking marks. After a while will the forest change from pine trees to deciduous. Continue still along the same path, sometimes will the path lead between boulders. Follow markings "Medvědí stezka" or yellow arrows. After about 600 meters you will reach a crossroads "V Ořeši". Keep following the yellow marks. After 350 meters slightly downhill your reach another two rocks Kaple and Hřib.

After you enjoy the views, continue to 90m far rock Viklan. Then just continue along yellow marks further to Kamenná krása Rock. Here may sometimes by fallen trees in the path. Surrounding the Kammená krása Rock are many other rocks but you will surely be able to recognize it. At the rock you will yet again have views of the surrounding forest.

Next stop will be Obří kostky Rock, to which you get still along the yellow hiking marks. Along the way you se several smaller rock formations. In some places, the path leads through rocks (see photo dsc07356). Then continue further towards Jelení jezírko (pond), where can the path sometimes be overgrown, but the yellow arrows will guide you right to the pond. At the pond you can rest and have some snacks at a resting area with benches and tables. There are also information boards.

From the pond then head towards Jelení vrchy, which are about 1.5 kilometers far. This part will be along narrow asphalt road downhill. Here you will find on your left hand a small pub where you can stop for food or have a beer.

From Jelení vrchy run in a season tourist buses, so if you want to shorten the route by half, you have the option here. Although you will miss the monument of the last bear, the rest of the journey is not as interesting as the previous part.

But we are gonna expect that you want to go through the whole trail. At a crossroads turn right and continue uphill along an asphalt road still along yellow hiking marks. Then at a crossroads turn off the asphalt road and follow the yellow marks. Further you be going along the dirt road. On the way to the monument you will have nice views of surrounding forest. After 1.5 kilometers you reach the Medvědí kámen crossroads, where you turn left. Downhill you get to the monument of the last bear. At the memorial you can find informations about the last bear hunt in Šumava.

After visiting the monument return back by the same route back to the crossroads and continue along a dirt road. Here you can enjoy Šumava forest, streams and along Rudolfova cesta (trail), where you see another boulders, you get to the crossroads Lesní potok. Here turn right onto an asphalt road. Go towards Černý Kříž, which is 1.5 km away.

Arriving to Černý Kříž you will be able to see the train platform from the path. If you arrive early and you dont want to wait for train at the station, you can get a snack at a nearby restaurant, which you can find following a path along the station building. 

  • Ovesná train stop (starting point) Ovesná train stop (starting point)

    Train stop in Ovesná is the starting point of this route.

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    Ovesná train stop (starting point)
  • Steep climb Steep climb

    Here is a very steep climb. 

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    Looking down from the top.
  • Perníková skála (Rock) Perníková skála (Rock)

    Perníková skála is the first rock along the route.

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    Perníková skála (Rock) Perníková skála (Rock) Perníková skála (Rock) Perníková skála (Rock)
  • Soutěska lapků Rock Soutěska lapků Rock

    The second rock along the route is called Soutěska lapků.

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    Soutěska lapků Rock
  • Gotický portál Rock Gotický portál Rock

    The third rock along the route is Gotický portál.

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    Gotický portál Rock Gotický portál Rock Gotický portál Rock Continue along this path
  • Kaple a Hřib rocks Kaple a Hřib rocks

    Another rocks on the route are called Kaple (chapel) and Hřib (penny bun). 

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    Kaple a Hřib rocks Kaple a Hřib rocks Kaple a Hřib rocks View from Kaple Rock View from Kaple Rock
  • Viklan Rock Viklan Rock

    The sixth rock along the route called Viklan. 

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    Viklan Rock Viklan Rock
  • Kamenná kráska Rock Kamenná kráska Rock

    Another rock on Medvědí trail is called Kamenná krása (stone beauty). 

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    Kamenná kráska Rock Kamenná kráska Rock Kamenná kráska Rock
  • Obří kostky Rock Obří kostky Rock

    Obří kostky is the last rock along this route, but you will encounter several smaller rock formations further along the route. 

    Open: Admission:
    Obří kostky Rock
  • Jelení jezírko pond Jelení jezírko pond

    Built in 1835. A surge pond, which was used to improve the water level in the Schwarzenberg Shipping Canal. Located 1.5 miles from Jelení village at an altitude of 945 m. 

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    Jelení jezírko pond Jelení jezírko pond Jelení jezírko pond
  • Jelení vrchy Jelení vrchy

    Here you can stop for a rest and meal in local restaurant. 

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    Jelení vrchy Jelení vrchy Direction of the route
  • Medvědí kámen Medvědí kámen

    The last bear of Bohemian Forest was killed near Želnava more then 150 years ago. Shot by a local forester Johann Jungwirth during a hunt, which was attended by more than 100 people. 

    Open: Admission:
    Path towards the memorial Medvědí kámen
  • Černý Kříž behind the train station Černý Kříž behind the train station

    Restaurant in Černý Kříž.

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    Penzion Černý Kříž Černý Kříž behind the train station

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