Lake Mácha is the largest pond in the Czech Republic outside of South Bohemia — a wide, sandy-shored reservoir framed by forests, rolling hills and the distant silhouette of Bezděz Castle. Whether you come for swimming, hiking, sailing or simply soaking up the atmosphere of a place that inspired one of the greatest Czech Romantic poems, this is a destination that never disappoints.

Covering more than 280 hectares near the town of Doksy in the Liberec Region, the lake has a wonderfully varied character. Sandy beaches on the southern and northern shores are perfect for families, while the quieter eastern and northern bays are protected nature reserves rich in birdlife. In summer the water sparkles, pedal boats and sailing dinghies dot the surface, and a vintage-style passenger boat links Doksy with Staré Splavy on the opposite shore. In autumn the surrounding pine and mixed forests turn golden and the crowds disappear, leaving you with peaceful lakeside trails all to yourself. Winter brings ice skaters and cross-country skiers when the lake freezes over.

• From Doksy — red trail along the south-western shore to Staré Splavy, approx. 40–50 minutes, easy
• Full loop around the lake — combination of red, yellow, blue and green trails, easy to moderate, distance and time depend on pace
• By train: line 080 from Česká Lípa or Bakov nad Jizerou — stations Doksy and Staré Splavy are right on the lake shore

• The two islands in the middle of the lake — Myší zámek and Kachní ostrov — are closed to visitors as they are ornithological nature reserves
• The eastern (Břehyňská) and northern bays are protected as the National Natural Monument 'Swamp', part of the Natura 2000 network
• A passenger boat service runs in summer between Doksy, Staré Splavy, Borný and Valdštejnská plovárna (minimum 25 passengers required)
• Several campsites on the northern and north-eastern shore: Borný, Klůček, Bílý Kámen

The lake was founded in 1366 by Emperor Charles IV, and the Romantic poet Karel Hynek Mácha visited six times, setting his celebrated poem 'Máj' (May) in this very landscape. The rock called Jarmilina skála on the northern shore marks the spot where, according to the poem's legend, the tragic heroine Jarmila leapt into the water.