Čertovo jezero (Devil's Lake)
Čertovo jezero
A glacial lake in the Šumava mountains, shrouded in legend and notable for being the only one in the region that drains into the Danube basin. It is part of a National Nature Reserve and offers a scenic, though challenging, hike.

📜 A glacial lake in the Šumava mountains, part of a National Nature Reserve.
🏞️ Unique as the only Šumava lake draining into the Danube basin, flowing to the Black Sea.
😈 Shrouded in legend, with tales of a devil carving its valley and strange figures emerging.

Why Go

🌊 Discover a mysterious glacial lake at 1030m altitude, 9.7ha area, and 36m max depth.
🚶‍♀️ Experience a scenic, challenging hike through a National Nature Reserve.
🗺️ Stand at the main European watershed between the Elbe and Danube basins.
❄️ Witness one of the few places in Šumava where avalanches occur on lake walls.

Why Avoid

⚠️ Access is not easy and unsuitable for cyclists.
⛰️ The most common route involves a steep, rocky path.

Cost

💰 Admission is free.

Getting There

🚶‍♀️ The most common route is a steep, rocky path from the dam of Černé jezero.
➡️ This path leads to the 'Na rozvodí' crossroads, marking the European watershed.
➡️ From there, a more manageable path continues to the lake.

Hiking

⏱️ Suggested time for a visit is 1.5 hours.

Managed By

ℹ️ Environmentální a turistické informační centrum Železná Ruda.

Tags
naturelakehikingnatural attractionlegendŠumava