Černé Lake (Black Lake) and Čertovo Lake (Devil's Lake) are two glacial lakes tucked into the Šumava mountains, separated by the summit of Jezerní hora. Protected since 1933, this national nature reserve holds one of the Czech Republic's most unique aquatic habitats.

The scenery here is dramatic and moody - steep, forested slopes plunge down into dark glacial cirques, giving the lakes an almost mysterious, secluded feel. In summer, the still water mirrors the surrounding spruce forest; in autumn, the hillsides turn gold and rust; in winter, snow blankets the cirques in silence. The rugged terrain, carved out by glaciers during the ice age, still feels wild and untouched, making it a rewarding destination whether you're passing through on a longer Šumava trek or making it a dedicated day trip.

How to get there

• From Železná Ruda or Špičák - marked trail, approx. 1-2 hours, easy to moderate difficulty
• From Alžbětín - alternative approach from the border area

Practical information

• The area is a strictly protected nature reserve - stay on marked trails
• Černé Lake is the only known site in the Czech Republic where the aquatic plant Isoëtes lacustris (lake quillwort) grows
• The wider region around Jezerní hora is home to the Eurasian lynx

Fun fact: Černé Lake is the sole Czech habitat of the rare lake quillwort, and the surrounding rocky slopes shelter a cold-loving spider species otherwise found only in northern Scandinavia.