How do I tell in which zone I’m currently in?
Plates with the greater coat of arms of the Czech Republic and with the specification of the respective protection category and name.
NP, CHKO, NPR, and NPP
Plates with the smaller coat of arms of the Czech Republic and with the specification of the respective protection category and name, where appropriate.
PR and PP
Striped border markings
- Two red stripes on trees – one inside the protected area, two outside;
- On border posts or trees on the borderline.
NPR, NPP, PR, PP, and First Zone of NP
NP – National Park
CHKO – Protected Landscape Area (PLA)
NPR – National Nature Reserve (NNR)
NPP – National Nature Monument (NNM)
PR – Nature Reserve (NR)
PP – Nature Monument (NM)
Code of Conduct
Hikers
You can move within the whole NP territory along as well as outside the marked hiking trails (marked by the Czech Tourist Club). In the territory of the First Zone of Nature Conservation, you can only hike on the marked tourist trails. Keep out of the groomed cross-country skiing tracks, you can only tread on them where there is possibility of simultaneous movement of hikers and skiers.
Movement along the PLA
You can move within the whole Protected Landscape Area territory except: National Nature Reserves, National Nature Monuments, Nature Reserves, and Nature Monuments. The regime in them is similar to that of the first zones, you can only hike on the marked hiking trails.
Skiers
You can go skiing along marked skiing trails, cross-country skiing circuits near villages and towns, but also outside these tracks in treeless areas. In the territory of the First Zone of Nature Conservation, you can only ski on the marked hiking trails. In the forests of the second and third zones, you can only move along forest paths.
Snowshoers
Hikers on snowshoes should follow the same rules as hikers.
Cyclists
Outside regional and local roads, cyclists are only allowed to ride within built-up areas and along marked cycling routes. (For their list, see Appendix 2 to the Visiting Rules.)
Boaters
You can go rafting on the Vydra, the Otava, and the Vltava, with limitations in the individual sections.
Dogs
Your pet must be under your permanent control to prevent it from disturbing wild animals and destroying groomed cross-country skiing tracks. Only assistance dogs are allowed to move along the skiing tracks.
Horse riders
You can ride on the marked horse-riding trails within the whole NP territory. Outside the marked trails and outside the First Zone of Nature Conservation, you can ride along forest paths. Keep out of the groomed cross-country skiing tracks.
Camping sites
If you intend to camp out and build a fire, you can only do so within built-up areas or in places marked as camping sites.
Emergency night shelters
You can also spend the night at an emergency night shelter, but this is limited to one night only (from 6 pm to 9 am) and you cannot build a fire. (For more information, click on the heading or picture.)
Restrictions on movement
Sections of tourist trails for hikers, skiers, and cyclists with the incidence of species sensitive to disturbances are only accessible during strictly specified times of the year.
Other rules
When visiting the territory, you should refrain from disturbing or catching animals and from picking any plants. You can pick forest berries in the second and third zones (but never with a rake/comb). Take all food wrappers and other wastes with you, nature cannot cope with them.
Full wording of the Visiting Rules
Vehicles
should always only be parked in dedicated parking areas.
There are 18 border crossings along the border with Bavaria and Austria.
