Athletes and tourists
Hiking and cycling
Water sports
Winter sports
Wellness
Pension Sněžná is an ideal base for all lovers of active holidays. Discover the charm of the beautiful Sumava countryside by bike, hiking or running. In the surroundings of Volary you will find many beautiful hiking trails suitable for both families with children and more experienced athletes. Enjoy the smells of the forest and the sounds of nature, or get fit at one of the sports grounds.
You can also explore the Prachatická branch of the Golden Trail by bike. You can enjoy an undisturbed ride on the way to Menhiry or by climbing Kamenáč hill. In the city you can try out the parkour playground, Street Workout or the new pumptrack area. There is also a tennis court. You can swim not only in Lipno or at the summer swimming pool in Vimperk, but also in the indoor pools in Volare and Prachatice.
In winter, when the landscape turns into a snowy fairy tale, just grease up your skis and hit the slopes. Cross-country ski tracks can be found in the Šumava mountains, foothills and basins. Not far from our guesthouse there is also the ski resort České Žleby, or you can enjoy great skiing in the ski resort Mitterdorf on the German side.
Do you have a question or want to book a room?
We are happy to help you, contact us or make a reservation. +420 774 343 448
Summer activities
Hiking and cycling
Volary is located in the Šumava Protected Landscape Area, right on the border of the Šumava National Park. In the immediate vicinity you will find a number of hiking, nature, cycling and adventure trails, natural attractions and historical monuments. You can visit, for example, the Schwarzenberg Navigation Canal, Boubínský průže, the Bear Trail, Hus Castle, Trojmezí, the Soumarský Bridge or the "South Bohemian Sea" Lipno, where not only hikers, sailors and swimmers, but also lovers of bicycles, roller skates and adrenaline experiences will find their place.
Boating routes
Not far from Volary you can go to the most popular Czech river Vltava. Depending on the water level, it comes down either from Lenora, from the Soumarský Bridge, from Nová Pec, or from Vyšší Brod below Lipno. You can rent a boat from a number of rental companies and go on the water for several days, or even just for one day, but some sections require reservations in advance. However, the Vltava River can be somewhat crowded in high season. If you want more peace and quiet, head north to the Otava and the Blanici. Some sections of the Otava are suitable for experienced paddlers and are only passable in spring or heavy rain, but the section from Sušice to Písek is also suitable for less experienced paddlers. The Blanice River rises 10 km from Volary and there are both calm and fast flowing sections with greater difficulty. In all rivers, it is necessary to monitor the water level. You can also take a short paddling trip on the mountain river Vydra, but only from mid-March to the end of May. The stretch is 5 km long.
Treks
Šumava is a true paradise for trekkers, whether you hike to one of the local peaks, cross to the German or Austrian side, or just wander through the beautiful countryside. You'll find emergency overnight accommodation, but also huts, hostels, guesthouses or rooms to rent close by, so you can plan short or long routes, or just wander from pub to pub, through vanished villages past natural or historical sites.
From Volary, you can reach Knížecí stolec, where there is a lookout tower at an altitude of 1236 m above sea level. For a shorter trip with children, you can go to another lookout tower at the Soumarský Bridge on the Teplá Vltava River. South of the town is the Stožec peak at 1065 m above sea level and a little further on, Jelenská hora, which is three metres higher. To the north is Boubín (1362 m above sea level) and Bobík (1266 m above sea level).
Swimming
There is an indoor swimming pool with a whirlpool and a children's pool, sauna and steam room. The indoor swimming pool in Prachatice with the Sauna World has a similar offer. Another indoor pool is Aquaworld in Lipno nad Vltavou. During the summer, of course, you can also swim directly in Lipno, local rivers and other natural reservoirs. Beware of the lakes in the National Park, you are not allowed to swim there.
Winter activities
Skiing and snowboarding
The České Žleby ski resort is located just a few kilometres from Volary and offers several ski slopes, a snowpark, snowcross and a children's park, which are served by two lifts. The Libín Ski Resort is located north in the direction of Prachatice and has slopes for beginners and advanced skiers and 3 lifts, including a children's ropeway. On the Austrian side, the Hochficht /Smrcina ski area has a great offer with several lifts and lifts and a total of 20 km of slopes. It takes about 45 minutes by car from Volary. The German Mitterdorf is closer, you can get there in about half an hour. This resort is often referred to as the "glacier in the Bavarian Forest" due to its good snow conditions.
White trail
Šumava offers ideal conditions for winter cross-country skiing. The local terrain is characterised by gentle ascents and gentle descents. The altitude of around 1000 m usually guarantees good snow conditions during the winter season.
Šumava has a network of ski trails with a total length of almost 500 km, some of them directly in the national park, and new ones are being created. Ski routes are maintained depending on snow conditions and some of them lead across the border into Austria or Germany. There are several starting points for cross-country ski trails in the surroundings of Volary, for example in Lenora, Horní Vltavice, Kubova Hut, Strážný, Stožec, or Jelení Hills. At many places you can rent cross-country skis and other equipment.
Sledding
Riding downhill with children on sledges or bobsleighs is one of the favourite family pastimes. The 600 m long toboggan run is on Silberberg, about 20 minutes from Železná Ruda. 20 minutes further on Geisskopf is a track even 2 km long. A special track for parents with small children is at Hoher Bogen.
Year-round activities
Sauna and wellness
You can relax all year round in the sauna or in one of the wellness centres. You can find a sauna, steam and whirlpool in the swimming pool in Volare and the whole Sauna World is part of the swimming pool in Prachatice. If you have time, head to Bad Füssing, a spa town with three thermal areas with many pools and water attractions. It takes about 90 minutes by car from Volary. It's also close to the Amenity Sport Arena Lipno, where you can play tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis or bowling, work out in the fitness centre or relax in the wellness centre. with whirlpools, saunas, steam room and a beautiful view of Lake Lipno.
Rest and relax in the guesthouse :)
Sometimes you just don't want to go anywhere, so why not stay right in the guesthouse? Pension Sněžná is reconstructed in the form of a timbered alpine house. Its oldest part dates back to the 1800s. The current owners make sure that their guests feel at home in the guesthouse. They are welcome in the beautiful garden, where there is a gazebo and a fireplace. There is also a children's play area, a lounge and a self-service bar. Fast WiFi access is available throughout the guest house. The swimming pool and sauna can be conveniently reached on foot in a few minutes, and there are other places to visit in Volary, such as St. Catherine's Church on the square, the Volary Museum or the Jewish cemetery.