# Čertovo Lake

> Čertovo jezero (Devil's Lake) in the Bohemian Forest is a glacial lake from the Ice Age. Its moraines are preserved and are regarded as evidence of…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/certovo-jezero/

A dark glacial lake below a steep forested slope in the Šumava mountains, reached by a woodland hike from the road. Wear sturdy shoes, as the path is rocky, and expect the quiet to break on busy summer weekends.

Čertovo jezero (Devil's Lake) in the Bohemian Forest is a glacial lake from the Ice Age. Its moraines are preserved and are regarded as evidence of Quaternary glaciation; cirques and boulder fields surround the lake. The area is a national nature reserve and part of the Královská Šumava Geopark. The main European watershed runs between Čertovo jezero and the nearby Černé jezero: water from Devil's Lake flows via the Danube to the Black Sea, while that of Black Lake flows to the North Sea.

The walk starts at the Špičácké sedlo car park. The loop takes about 2 hours 40 minutes, climbs 231 m and is rated moderate; wear sturdy footwear. You must not leave the marked paths. If you have more time, continue 1.5 km to the lookout tower on Špičák (1,202 m). According to the Czech Geological Survey, vehicles are only allowed into the area with a permit.

- **Nearest town:** Železná Ruda, Czechia
- **Category:** Nature & parks
- **GPS:** 49.1767, 13.1831

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **Czechia: Vignette needed for motorways.** Buy the e-vignette online before you drive on motorways. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

## Sources

- [Glacial lakes Černé and Čertovo (Šumava National Park)](https://www.npsumava.cz/en/trip/ledovcova-jezera-cerne-a-certovo/)
- [Čertovo jezero (kudyznudy.cz)](https://www.kudyznudy.cz/aktivity/certovo-jezero)
- [Černé a Čertovo jezero (Czech Geological Survey)](https://lokality.geology.cz/425?la=en)

## Nearby

- [Großer Arbersee](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b4-grosser-arbersee/) – 8 km
- [Bavarian Forest Tree Top Walk](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b4-baumwipfelpfad/) – 39 km
- [St Bartholomew’s Cathedral](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b16-st-bartholomew-plzen/) – 65 km
- [Walhalla](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b4-walhalla/) – 72 km

## FAQs

### Where is Čertovo Lake?

Čertovo Lake is in Železná Ruda, Czechia, at GPS 49.1767, 13.1831. It is about 10 km from Lam.

### Can you camp near Čertovo Lake?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Autocamp Železná Ruda, about 6 km away; within 25 km there are 37 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Čertovo Lake?

Places worth a stop nearby: Großer Arbersee (8 km), Bavarian Forest Tree Top Walk (39 km), St Bartholomew’s Cathedral (65 km) and Walhalla (72 km).

### When is the best time to visit Čertovo Lake?

The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)