Šumava National Park, National park in Plzeňský kraj, Czech Republic
Šumava National Park is a protected area in the southwestern part of the Czech Republic, spreading across Klatovy, Prachatice and Český Krumlov. The terrain rises to about 1,378 meters (4,521 feet) in elevation and consists of thick conifer forests, flat raised bogs and several glacial lakes formed in the Ice Age.
The Czech government created the protected area in March 1991 to restore the ecosystems of the Bohemian Forest mountains after decades of military closure. The zone remained closed to the public during the Cold War period and many habitats stayed undisturbed as a result.
The protected area takes its name from the old Czech word for the rustling sound of wind through forests and streams. This region now connects people from both countries through shared walking routes and nature projects along the border.
Most marked walking routes lie at moderate elevation and suit visitors with average fitness, while steep routes to summits require more preparation. Information centers at several entrances offer maps and advice for navigating the wide forested areas.
The protected area shelters rare species such as lynx, capercaillie and endemic insects that live only in the local bogs. Some raised bogs are among the oldest ecosystems in Central Europe and date back more than 12,000 years.
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