Hike to the Prince's throne
The lookout tower on the Prince's throne (1,236 m above sea level) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Lipno region around Horní Planá. The nature trail with nine stops will take you to the Boletice Military District, information boards provide information about the fauna and flora of the local forests and how the forest is cared for. Along the way, you will definitely appreciate the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and the peace that prevails here. The current lookout tower stands on the site of a tourist lookout tower from 1938 and was opened in 2012. Despite its height of only eight metres, it offers a breathtaking circular view of the entire Šumava (Boubín and Bobík massif, the Třístoličník – Plechý border ridge, the rocky Lysá Peak, with Kleť Mountain behind it and the Novohradské Mountains in the background) and in good weather, especially in autumn, you can even see the peaks of the Austrian Alps.
Route desription
By car Český Krumlov → Hořice na Šumavě (+14 km) → Černá v Pošumaví (+7 km) → Horní Planá (+8 km) → Slunečná (+ 9 km), on foot Záhvozdí → Prince’s throne (7 km) and back
Attractions along the route
- Hořice na Šumavě (2) – Passion of the Christ plays, natural theatre, July-August Fairytale reservation (theatrical performance in the forest), outdoor covered restaurant located by the car park
- Černá v Pošumaví (3) – a village on the banks of the Lipno reservoir, swimming and water sports, yachting and windsurfing, you can also try kite boarding and land kiting, snow kiting in winter, Windypoint beach
- Horní Planá (4) – the largest sandy beach on the banks of the Lipno reservoir, cycle paths along Lipno, Stifter's birth house, the Church of St. Markéta located in the square, Jezerní overlook (800 m above sea level) about half a kilometre from Horní Planá
- Slunečná (5) – organic farm Slunečná with an area of 35 ha, in the Šumava nature of the Vltava Valley, a tour of farmstead sheep, goats, cows, donkeys and poultry, tour of the mini-pharmacy with product tasting and purchase available, Galerie Slunečná exhibition space
- Adolf's stone (8) – above the extinct village of Uhlíkov in the bend of the road called Adolfka, a rock with a carved inscription "Adolfstein 1871"
- granite obelisk under the top of the Prince's throne – a reminder and tribute for aid in eliminating the consequences of Hurricane Kyrill, which in January 2007 caused unprecedented damage to the forest.
Route description
How to get to the lookout tower The most convenient access point to ascend to the Prince's throne is a small car park in the village of Záhvozdí, 40 km and a 40-minute drive from Český Krumlov in the direction of Horní Planá – Volary. Non-motorised tourists and cyclists can use the train connections on the České Budějovice – Volary line and get to the Pěkná stop, from where it is a 4 km walk to Záhvozdí by road. A blue tourist sign will take you from Záhvozdí to the lookout tower and a 7 km walk uphill (almost 500 metres of elevation gain) awaits you. As a reward, the second part of the circuit is downhill. Bring a snack with you, as there are no refreshments available along the way.
Hike to the Prince's throne from the settlement of Záhvozdí.
From Český Krumlov to the settlement of Záhvozdí
