On Foot Through Peklo Gorge: A Šumava Trail from Chlum to Hartmanice

In the Šumava region, not far from the town of Hartmanice, hikers can follow a scenic and little-used trail through the valley of the Volšovka River — known as Peklo Gorge (literally "Hell Gorge"). The route runs through the Žežulka nature reserve and is ideal for a leisurely half-day walk in nature.

The trail begins at the bus stop in the town of Sušice, from where a bus takes travelers to the small village of Dolní Chlum in about half an hour. From there, a green-marked footpath leads through the forest, passing a small village chapel and the remains of an old stone cross, before reaching the boundary of the nature reserve.

A Cave with an Underground Lake

The main highlight of the route is Peklo Cave, its entrance about two meters high, tucked into cliffs of crystalline limestone. Inside lies a flooded underground lake, apparently fed by a fairly powerful underground spring. Nearby is a mine adit sealed off by a metal grille — reportedly once another entrance to the cave.

Further on, the path climbs through thick ferns past another half-ruined cross, and the forest's silence is suddenly broken by the roar of machinery — nearby, wood chips are being processed, with a massive machine grinding through piles of branches.

Finishing in Hartmanice

At a junction marked in yellow, hikers climb toward Hartmanice, where a view opens up over the Stráže ridge and the Peklo valley. A cross stands at the top of the climb, and below, Hartmanice itself comes into view, along with Mount Hamižná. The route ends at the local tourist information center, after which you can grab a bite at one of the town's cafés — keeping an eye on the bus schedule for the return trip.

The total length of the route is about four kilometers, with an elevation gain of roughly 130 meters. Despite its modest length, the route's creators note that it's hard to want to leave this valley: along the way you'll spot mushrooms and rare plant species, and the little-trodden path all but guarantees you won't run into other hikers. The only cost for this outing is the price of a bus ticket.

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Source: turistika.cz