Špićák

Špičák is a 1,223-metre peak in the Želnavská hornatina range of the Šumava (Bohemian Forest), located about 5 km north of Horní Planá in South Bohemia, Czech Republic.

Where exactly is Špičák?

The mountain sits in the South Bohemian part of the Šumava, within the smaller Želnavská hornatina range near Horní Planá. It ranks as the third-highest and third most prominent summit in that range, with its parent peak, Knížecí stolec, rising less than 4 km to the northwest. The surrounding landscape is classic Šumava terrain — gently rolling, densely forested ridges and quiet stream valleys, with very little development, largely because most of the area was closed off for decades.

Why was Špičák off-limits for so long?

This is the most striking part of the mountain's story. From 1947 to 2015, the summit lay inside the Boletice military training area, one of the largest military zones in the Czech Republic. No hiking trail led there and civilian access was forbidden. It was only an amendment to the law on military training areas that changed things: the cadastral territory of Maňávka, which includes Špičák, was detached from the military zone and annexed to the town of Horní Planá on 1 January 2016. That single administrative change opened the mountain to hikers for the first time in nearly seventy years.

What will you find at the summit?

Since 2016, a blue circular trail has been marked around the peak, connecting to a red trail coming up from Horní Planá. It's still a relatively young route — tourist infrastructure is minimal, and the summit itself has kept a raw, largely untouched character precisely because it had no contact with foot traffic for decades. The mayor of Horní Planá has floated the idea of building a lookout tower on Špičák, but for now that remains a proposal rather than a built structure.

It's worth clearing up a common mix-up: this Špičák, near Horní Planá in the Šumava, is a different mountain from the better-known Špičák (1,202 m) near Železná Ruda, which does have an operating lookout tower. The two share a name but sit dozens of kilometres apart.

How do you get to Špičák?

Horní Planá is the natural starting point. A red-marked trail heads out from town toward the Želnavská hornatina range and links up with the blue loop circling the summit. Because the area was isolated for so long, the route sees relatively light foot traffic — a plus for anyone looking for a quieter alternative to the more heavily promoted Šumava peaks.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring through early autumn offers the most comfortable conditions, with dry trails and enough daylight for an unhurried return from what used to be restricted military ground. Since the surrounding area still borders the active Boletice military zone, staying on the marked trail is especially important here.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a marked trail to the top of Špičák? Yes. Since 2016 a blue circular trail has run around the summit, linking to a red trail from Horní Planá. Before that, from 1947 to 2015, the area was part of the Boletice military training zone and closed to the public.

How high is Špičák? The peak stands at 1,223 metres above sea level, making it the third-highest and third most prominent summit in the Želnavská hornatina range.

Is there a lookout tower on Špičák? No, not currently. The mayor of Horní Planá has mentioned the idea, but it remains a future proposal rather than an existing structure.

Is this the same Špičák as the one near Železná Ruda? No. These are two separate mountains that happen to share a name. This one sits in the Šumava near Horní Planá, while the other — with its working lookout tower — is located near Železná Ruda, dozens of kilometres away.