Schwarzenberg Canal, Historic canal in Ulrichsberg, Austria

The Schwarzenbergischer Schwemmkanal is a timber-floating canal over 50 km long, fed by 27 streams and the Plöckensteiner See, running from the Světlá near the Bavarian-Czech border across the European watershed to the Große Mühl. It follows the contour with an average gradient of 2.5 per mille, is 3.5 to 4 m wide and about 1 m deep, and passes through a 389 m tunnel at Jelení.

The system was built in the late 18th century to solve the challenge of moving timber from distant forest regions. Its creation connected two separate river basins and opened new possibilities for regional trade and commerce.

The waterway served as a vital trade route that shaped the economy of the surrounding region for generations. Its presence still marks the landscape and how local communities developed settlements and industries along its path.

Visitors can walk or cycle along sections of the canal on established trails and paths available year-round. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to uneven terrain, especially in wooded areas where roots and natural obstacles are common.

The canal follows the contour line with an average gradient of only 2.5 per mille, about 2.5 mm per metre, and crosses a natural obstacle through a tunnel 389 m long, originally over 400 m and shortened when the channel was adapted for long timber.