The western border of the Plzeň region is dominated by the dark and mysterious Šumava forest. You are in a land of deep peat bogs and glacial lakes that stay cold even in the peak of summer. The Bohemian Forest range offers miles of quiet trails through primary woods where wolves have recently returned. Every road seems to lead deeper into a green wilderness that feels untouched by time. The Black Lake and Devil’s Lake hide in the shadows of steep cliffs and ancient spruce trees. You can find old stone border markers that have sat in the deep moss for hundreds of years.
Central parts of the region hold a long history of brewing and industrial craft. You can see the massive gates of the world famous brewery where golden lager was first created. Beyond the city the landscape is filled with ruins of old border castles and baroque monasteries. The Rabštejn nad Střelou area is the smallest town in the land sitting on a steep rocky cliff. Visit the massive Kladruby monastery to see the unique architecture that blends gothic and baroque styles. The river Berounka provides a gentle path for those who want to see the region from the water.
This region feels like a frontier where the wild forest meets the old world towns. You can explore underground mine tunnels or taste fresh beer right from the oak barrels. The roads through the Šumava National Park offer some of the best forest drives in Europe. It is a place of deep shadows and golden beer that rewards those who like to explore the edge of the map. Look for the ruins of villages that were lost to the forest decades ago. The quiet atmosphere of the borderland makes every stop feel like a discovery of something long forgotten.
Plzeň (region) highlights
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery: See the massive copper tuns and the underground cellars where the world's first golden lager was created. This is the essential stop on any West Bohemia brewery drive and offers a taste of beer from the barrel.
- Black Lake: The largest and deepest glacial lake in the country is hidden in the dark spruce forests of the Šumava mountains. The road to the trailhead offers a true wilderness feel with deep shadows and fresh mountain air.
- Rabštejn nad Střelou: Explore the smallest town in the country which sits on a rocky cliff above a winding river. It features a castle ruin, a baroque monastery, and a massive stone bridge all in a tiny area.
- Kašperk Castle: This high altitude fortress was built to guard the golden trade routes and offers views of the entire Šumava range. The drive up to the castle is steep and winds through some of the oldest woods in the land.
- Kladruby Monastery: A massive church designed in the unique Santini gothic baroque style with a huge green dome. It sits in a quiet valley and is a masterpiece of light and geometry that surprises every visitor.
- Šumava National Park Road: This Šumava National Park road trip route takes you through peat bogs and over high ridges near the border. It is one of the best drives in Europe for those who love deep forest silence and wild nature.
- Chodsko Region: Visit the town of Domažlice to see the leaning tower and experience the strong local folk traditions of the border guards. The area is famous for its large patterned cakes and traditional bagpipe music.
- Velhartice Castle: This ruin features a unique stone bridge that connects the residential palace with a massive defensive tower. It is a very picturesque spot located in the rolling hills of the southern Plzeň region.
- Manětín Chateau: Known as the baroque pearl of West Bohemia, this town is filled with statues and features a grand palace with a park. The quiet roads around the town pass through a landscape of old volcanic hills.
- Stříbro Mining Town: Explore the silver mining history of this town which features a beautiful renaissance bridge tower and old mine shafts. It is a hidden gem that offers a look at the tough life of the old mountain dwellers.
The local Four
History of Plzeň (region)
The history of the Plzeň region is written in the golden bubbles of the world's most famous beer which was first brewed in the city of Plzeň back in 1842. This revolutionary bottom fermented lager changed the global drinking culture forever and turned the region into a center of brewing excellence and industrial innovation. The landscape is filled with historic breweries and deep cellars where the cool damp air still ages the local beer in massive oak barrels.
To the south the Šumava mountains offer a much wilder story of primeval forests and glacial lakes that were once part of the forbidden zone during the Cold War. This isolation preserved one of the largest continuous forest areas in Europe where wolves and lynx still roam among the ancient spruce trees. Driving through this Green Roof of Europe reveals a landscape of high altitude peat bogs and quiet border roads that once sat behind the iron curtain.
The Plzeň region is a land of extremes where the lively atmosphere of the brewery courtyards meets the deep silence of the mountain wilderness. You can follow the trails of medieval gold seekers in the Otava river valley or explore the ruins of castles that once guarded the trade routes from Bavaria. It is a region that invites travelers to explore the perfect balance between human craft and the raw unyielding power of the natural world.