*Černá hora (1316m) and the Vltava source from Kvilda: 15km – 19km on easy terrain*

• Černá hora (1316m) is the highest peak in the southern section of the Šumava National Park and is a fine destination for a trip from Kvilda on easy paths. Near the summit is a wooden viewing platform with far -reaching views to the south and east. This spot is famous for viewing the affects of an inversion weather system (fog in the valleys, sunshine in the mountains)
• The route passes the Pramen Vltavy, the springs which form the source of the river Vltava
• From the parking area at the ski lifts, the viewpoint is reached after 7.6km of relatively easy walking on good paths . The route is mostly on asphalt or wide mountain tracks and is navigable with a buggy/stroller. Total height gained on the route to the viewpoint is 250m.
• The return may be made on the same path, or for a more varied trip, a circle made via the mountain village of Bučina (where the hotel/restaurant of Alpská vyhlídka is located, offering a fine terrace with good views).
• The circular route is described below, and totals 19.1km with 390m of height gained/lost.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• If possible, start at the parking area next to the ski lifts (this is paid parking). If full, there is another parking area in the centre of Kvilda and another just outside town on the road towards Horská Kvilda.
• From the ski lift parking, take the BLUE trail leading away from the town up an easy slope, reaching the Kvilda – Hraběcí Huť signpost after 360m
• Stay on the BLUE trail heading in the direction of Pramen Vltavy
• After 5.3km of gentle ascent on an asphalt track, reach the Pramen Vltavy (springs which are the source of the Vltava river)
• Continue on the BLUE trail for a further 360m to reach the signpost of U pramene Vltavy. Here turn onto the RED trail in the direction of Černá hora
• After 1.2km of easy ascent, the path reaches a plateau, and there is a wide track to the right (not sign-posted) leading to the Černá hora viewpoint (a wooden platform with benches), which is reached after 400m
• Return back to the main RED trail and back down the hill to the U pramene Vltavy signpost. If taking the longer circular route back to Kvilda, continue on the RED trail in the direction of Bučina
• After 2.4km reach the signpost marked Bučina, which is just outside the hamlet. If visiting the restaurant, turn right at the signpost and follow the signs to the restaurant Alpská vyhlídka (with its fine terrace) which is reached after 300m, then return back to the Bučina signpost
• At the Bučina signpost (crossroads), take the cycle path in the direction of Kvilda. This track leads, after 5.7km, back to Kvilda – Hraběcí Huť signpost, where the BLUE trail is rejoined
• Turn right onto the BLUE trail and return 300m down the hill to the car park by the ski lifts