Sumava or the Sumava Mountains, is the largest mountain range in the Czech Republic and the largest woodland area in Central Europe. It is situated in Southwest Bohemia, along the border with Germany and Austria. It is very popular due to its beautiful natural scenery and cultural landmarks. The Sumava National Park is connected with the Bavarian National Park in Germany. It forms an enclave in Central Europe which has been hardly touched by man. The longest Czech river, the Vltava (the Moldau), has its source here. The highest peak of the Sumava Mountains on Czech territory is Plechy (1,378 m), situated near the border, not far from the Lipno Lake. The Boubin mountain (1,362) is famous for its primeval forest. There are five lakes in the Sumava region. They were all
created by glacial activity. The largest among them is the 18-hectare
Cerne jezero (Black Lake) which is 39 metres deep. Its name comes from the colour of the surface - it is black due to dark forest around the lake.
The mountains offer excellent conditions for cross-country and downhill skiing, as well as for relaxing walks in the forest.
In the lake in 1964 were found
boxes with German papers from WW II. But it wasn't put there by Germans, it was a provocation by STB (Czechoslovak secret police).
Black lake was an inspiration for writers:
J. Neruda "Romance o Cernem jezere"
A. V. Smilovsky "Paranasie"
J. Vrchlicky "Cerne jezero"
A. Heyduk "U horskeho jezera"
And for compositors:
A. Dvorak cyklus "ze Sumavy" - first part "U Cerneho jezera"
Guide 
