Trips to Boubín

In the year of Our Lord 1858, Prince Johann Adolf Schwarzenberg issued a decree stating that no trees in the remaining part of the Boubín Forest "shall ever be cut down, and the forest shall be left entirely to itself forever." Thus was established the second-oldest virgin forest in Bohemia (after the Žofínský Forest from 1838). To this day, the Boubín Forest remains a unique natural treasure, not only in the Czech Republic but throughout Europe. Schoolchildren learn about it in geography lessons, and forestry students visit it as part of their studies.

The Boubín Forest takes its name from the majestic Boubín Mountain (1,362 m above sea level). The originally protected area established in 1858 covered 138 hectares. However, after a destructive storm in the 19th century, only about 47 hectares remained – this area forms today's forest core. The entire reserve now encompasses 666 hectares of natural woodland. The diverse array of rare fungi, lichens, plants, and other species attracts researchers from across the world (for example, in 2006, the supposedly extinct Epipogium aphyllum – the ghost orchid – was discovered here).

Trip Tips

Boubín Forest
The best starting point for the circular trail around the forest is Idina Pila. At the information center, you can learn about the forest's history and its mythical woodland spirits. The first stop is the Boubín Pond, a former reservoir used for timber rafting. What does the primeval forest look like? It’s much sparser than you might expect, yet still difficult to pass through. The ground is covered with rotting wood in various stages of decomposition. Young saplings fight for every sliver of light – only those that get enough sunlight survive. The main competitors are beech, spruce, and fir. Who will win the fight? Some spruces are over 500 years old and exceed 50 meters in height! Since 1979, the forest core has been fenced off to protect the trees from wildlife damage and soil erosion caused by visitors.

Boubín Lookout Tower
Boubín, at 1,362 m, is the highest peak in the Šumava Mountains outside the border ridge and offers breathtaking views. In 2005, a 21-meter-tall wooden lookout tower was built on the summit. The view of the forested Šumava landscape and the villages and meadows in the lowlands is truly unique. On clear days, particularly in autumn, you can see the Alps more than 100 km away. The easiest ascent leads from Kubova Huť. You can return either through the forest to Idina Pila, where a train station is available, or walk back to Kubova Huť.

Stone Memorials
The Boubín Massif is dotted with numerous stone memorials and inscriptions. You’ll find them along paths and trails. One stone commemorates the visit of Cardinal Friedrich Schwarzenberg to the summit of Boubín on August 3, 1867. The most famous site is the triangular Joan Stone, marking the junction of three forest districts: Zátoň, Včelná, and Kubova Huť.
Stones bearing inscriptions such as Fürstenweg ("Prince's Path") or Princely Resting Spot are popular among enthusiasts. Even today's forest rangers continue the tradition of leaving their own inscriptions in stone.

More details can be found on the attached leaflet, which you can easily download to your mobile device.

Published by the Šumava National Park Administration in 2016, author: Josef Štemberk.