Bohemian Forest, Mountain range between Czech Republic and Austria.
The Bohemian Forest, also called Šumava in Czech and Böhmerwald in German, is a low mountain range in Central Europe that runs along the borders of the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria, with its highest point at around 1456 meters (4780 feet). The landscape consists mainly of evergreen forests, moorlands and rolling ridges that slope gently toward river valleys below.
The first permanent settlements appeared in the Bronze Age, and later Celtic and Germanic groups lived in the valleys and on the lower slopes. During the Middle Ages, trade routes crossed the passes, and border fortresses guarded the passages between rival territories.
The Czech name Šumava refers to the dense woods that have shaped life here for centuries, while the German name Böhmerwald emphasizes the same connection to forest and highland. Visitors notice small wooden shrines and forest chapels scattered along paths, reflecting a long tradition of seeking solitude and reflection in these quiet hills.
Hundreds of kilometers of marked trails wind through forests and over plateaus, passing small towns and mountain huts that offer rest and direction. The best months for walking are May through October, when paths are clear and shelters are open.
The watershed between the North Sea and the Black Sea runs through these forests, splitting rainfall into two opposite directions. Rivers such as the Vltava, Otava and Úhlava rise here and flow north, while other streams drain south toward the Danube.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
