*Winter walks from Modrava, beside the Roklanský and Modravský streams: 5 km to 16 km*

• The valleys created by the beautiful Roklanský and Modravský mountain streams have been travelled for millennia, initially by our hunter gatherer ancestors and more recently by tourists enjoying the hiking, biking and cross country ski trails that follow the route of these waterways as they flow through the picturesque Šumava mountains. The two streams meet together in the Šumava resort town of Modrava and become the Vydra river thereafter.
• Many visitors to Modrava in winter come for the excellent cross country skiing, but this is also a good base for some winter walking. The walks along both streams are some of the nicest in the region and can be done separately or taken together. The walk along the Roklanský potok is the better known; its valley more open and sunny. However, the initial 2.5 km walk along the Modravský stream from Modrava is also worth doing as this classic narrow spruce-lined Šumava valley is particularly beautiful after a fresh snowfall.
• An asphalt road runs beside the Roklanský stream from Modrava for around 3 km. This is cleared of snow in winter and runs parallel to the cross country ski trails. If the road is very icy, it is acceptable to walk at the side of of the ski tracks – making sure not to damage the tracks or get in the way of skiers. After 3 km the mountain road heads up into the hills, but it is possible to continue along the ski path – again staying at the side. This is worthwhile as after a further 2 km, the trail reaches a famous Mesolithic archaeological site at the junction of the Roklanský and Javoří streams – there is an excellent new information board beside the track.
• Another advantage of using Modrava as a base is the range of excellent pension, apartment and refreshment spots. These include the popular Lyer brewery, which also has accommodation (map point 5, and pictured below). Also worth investigating are the Hejlík recommended hotel/restaurant Mádr (map point 7) and the stylish Cafe Na Soutoku (map point 8).
• The trails along both streams rise gently but there are no steep sections. It is sensible, however, to walk with hiking poles in winter as there can be icy patches throughout the season.

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

• The Roklanský stream trail essentially starts at the Lyer brewery. Follow the stream, westwards (heading upstream for up to 6 km). return along the same route
• The Modravský stream trail starts at the Modrava trail junction in the middle of the village and heads south along the RED marked hiking trail – heading towards the Modravský potok junction, reached after 2 km. Return the same way