Třístoličník Summit Trail

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Třístoličník Summit Trail: Šumava Border Summit Hike

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 1 July 2026

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Ranked #598 of 974

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HikeList Score

Třístoličník Summit Trail scored 78/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 100
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 71
Accommodation 58
Food & support 66
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Třístoličník Summit Trail is a short, demanding 8.5 km out-and-back day hike in Šumava National Park, on the Czechia–Germany border near the Austria tripoint. Starting at Nové Údolí, it climbs about 450 m through Bohemian Forest to granite summit tors, the Dreisesselfels and the nearby Bavarian Hochstein viewpoint. It suits hikers who want a half-day mountain walk with rocky ground, forest, border-ridge atmosphere and summit views, but not a technical route.

Route Overview

Start and finish at Nové Údolí, a Czech border hamlet reachable by the Stožec heritage railway. Follow the red waymarked trail uphill through Šumava National Park forest towards Třístoličník. The lower path is dirt and gravel; the upper approach becomes steeper, rockier and uses natural stone steps to reach the granite tors. The summit area sits on the Czech-German frontier: the Dreisesselfels rocks, Berggasthof Dreisessel and Hochstein viewpoint are adjacent or just over the Bavarian side. Return the same way. Stronger walkers commonly extend east along the border ridge towards Trojmezí and Plechý, but that is a different, longer route. For other Czech mountain days, compare the Elbe River Source Trail or Bílá Opava Valley Path.

A Border Summit with Three Thrones

Třístoličník, or Dreisesselberg in German, has marked the Bohemia-Bavaria frontier for centuries. The name means “three seats” or “three chairs” and is linked to folklore about the kings of Bavaria, Bohemia and Austria meeting to settle borders near the tripoint. The writer Adalbert Stifter helped make the area known in literature. A first hikers’ refuge was built in 1888 by the Bavarian Forest Club, and the present Dreisesselhaus dates from 1913.

Notable highlights

Three granite thrones (Dreisesselfels): Pillow-shaped granite tors formed by woolsack weathering. These rocks gave the mountain its “three seats” name and are listed among Bavaria’s notable geotopes.
Summit panorama: The rocks and Hochstein viewpoint look across the Bohemian Forest, Bavarian Forest and Mühlviertel, with Alpine views possible in clear weather.
Berggasthof Dreisessel: A traditional summit inn beside the rocks, handy for food and drink on the hike, though it takes payment in euros only.
Šumava National Park forest: The approach passes through one of Central Europe’s large protected forest landscapes, including bark-beetle-killed spruce stands managed as natural-process forest.
Trojmezí tripoint extension: About 3 km east along the border ridge, Trojmezí is where Czechia, Germany and Austria meet. It is not part of the core 8.5 km out-and-back but is a common extension.

Challenges to expect

Expect a steady 450 m climb rather than a stroll. The upper route is steep, rocky and bouldery, with natural stone steps to the viewpoints, so it is unsuitable for bikes or pushchairs. Navigation is simple on the red-marked trail, but keep to marked paths in protected zones. In winter the ridge needs snowshoes or skis. There is no accommodation on the route; the summit inn is the main refreshment stop.

598

Ranked #598 of 974

See the Top 100 →