The Úhlava Riverside Nature Trail, the route to the summit of Velký Ostrý and Bílá Strž waterfall offer different ways to spend your time in Hamry Na Šumavě. Chapels, pilgrimage history and art also shape the character of the place. You can plan your outings based on whether you prefer to explore river landscapes, follow marked trails or learn about the history of the area.
Hiking trails with different focuses
On the trail from Hamry to Velký Ostrý, the final fifth of the route follows a stony mountain path to the 1,293 m summit, one of the best-known peaks in the Šumava Mountains. The 4 km Naučná stezka Úhlavským luhem nature trail has a different character: it explores natural areas of the river floodplain on both banks of the Úhlava and is for pedestrians only.
The floodplain nature trail starts in Hamry at Kollerův dvůr, by a tourist shelter with an information board and map. Five stops cover the upper Úhlava, its hydrology, the forests, settlement and changes to the landscape. Four boardwalks cross wetlands. Along the trail, you can also see signs of beavers and habitats with many protected plants and animals; conditions in the wetlands may change. This makes the summit route, with its stony section, a clearly different hiking option from the footpath focused on the river floodplain.
Bílá Strž: waterfall, viewpoint and seasonal trails
Bílá Strž is the highest waterfall in the Šumava Mountains. It lies in the valley of the Bílý potok at an elevation of 940 m and has a 7 m drop. The Bílá Strž National Nature Reserve protects a deeply incised rocky valley of the Bílý potok, with numerous cascades, rapids and waterfalls, as well as natural forest communities. A viewing terrace at Bílá Strž offers a view of the natural landscape; check its condition locally before visiting.
A blue-marked hiking route runs from Hamry–Hojsova Stráž railway station through Hamry for 6 km to the Pod Statečekem trail junction. From there, Bílá Strž is reached by a 1.3 km yellow-marked route. As trail markings may change, it is best to check them before setting out. Bílá Strž can also be reached by bicycle from Špičák or Hamry; here, too, you should take current trail conditions into account.
In winter, cross-country ski trails run around the gorge. Whether they can be used depends on snow conditions and current maintenance. This sets them apart from the hiking and cycling routes described above: cross-country skiing is a seasonal option that cannot be planned independently of conditions.
Chapels, art and historic routes
The chapel in Křížkov–Kreutzwinkel was built in 1730–1731 by the freeholder Jan Torner near the former road to Železná Ruda, in the cluster of houses known as Křížkov. The pilgrimage site was restored in 2007 by the municipality of Hamry together with the Künische Gemeinde Hammern association and the Bavarian municipality of Lam, with support from EU funds. The church and the Way of Our Lady of Sorrows feature a Baroque image of the Virgin Mary, a folk-style linden-wood Madonna and Child, and modern reverse-glass paintings.
To reach the chapel, follow the green-marked route from Hamry railway station to Zadní Hamry. From the road bridge over the Úhlava, a comfortable path continues; the total distance is about 2 km. Trail conditions may vary. Another route option starts in Zadní Hamry: after 3 km, a green-marked hiking route leads to the 4.5 km Brčálník nature trail. It focuses on history and nature and opened in 2005.
Discover more destinations: Hnacov, Domoraz, Modrava, Hartmanice, Bukovník, Petrovice U Sušice, Chudenín, Hradešice.
Go to the overview of the wider travel area: Okres Klatovy.
