Discover (even on a bike) the untouched nature of the Chod border region. In the Bohemian Forest you will be like in paradise
Luxury even in nature
The Český les Resort in the heart of the Bohemian Forest Protected Landscape Area was created by the radical reconstruction of two long unused buildings - a former First Republic school and the original military barracks, which gave rise to the Boutique Apartments Železná and Aparthotel Železná. In a complex in the middle of virgin forests on the Czech-German border, those of you who want to discover untouched places can now enjoy a total of 51 spacious boutique studios and rooms, a modern restaurant, a champagne bar, conference facilities and a wellness area with sauna, steam, infrared sauna and massage therapies.
The design of the resort was the responsibility of Barbara Mluvková's Konceptual studio. The airy rooms at Aparthotel Železná draw inspiration from the character of the breathtaking surrounding nature of the forests under Čerchov and the idea of creating an ideal environment for undisturbed relaxation. It is therefore defined primarily by the combination of wood, metal and glass, minimalist lines and a neutral colour palette.
Boutique Apartments Železná consists of just eight rooms with a generous amount of space and a rustic-elegant interior concept inspired by the muted earthy tones of the surrounding nature. This time the architects have also incorporated elements of the Chod landscape and motifs from Jirásek's poems into the design of the hotel, after which the individual suites are named - In the Moss, In the Ferns, On the Wings, At the Stream, In the Tree, On the Lake, On the Peaks and In the Clouds. The last-named suite occupies the entire attic of a former First Republic country school and offers, among other things, a freestanding bathtub under the exposed original beam.
Forest to table
The gastronomic heart of the Český les Resort is the stylish Hvozd restaurant. The menu draws on the bounty of the Chod forests, its own herb garden and Železný pond, or the honest produce of regional farmers. The restaurant's designer interior, with details of Bohemian Forest fauna motifs crafted by local artisans, flows seamlessly into an outdoor terrace with views of the endless meadows, where guests enjoy specialties from the OFYR grill under the chestnut trees.
Champagne bar and its own beer
Hvozd's culinary portfolio is complemented by the Kotelna bar, with a focus on whisky and champagne. A selection of Czech and French wines and artisan ciders from the nearby Kolowrat Orchards enrich the complete offer of the maison de Venoge. The resort also has its own wheat beer, Nikl, from Pilsen's experimental microbrewery Proud. A specialty created exclusively for the hotel is named after the mythical good spirit of the Bohemian Forest, which according to local legend protects glassmakers and woodcutters. There are also plans to launch an outdoor de Venoge champagne lounge in late summer and the introduction of a summer cinema in the near future.
A break from the mundane in the land of stories
There are countless cross-country skiing and hiking trails in the surroundings of the Bohemian Forest Resort, and 30 kilometres from the hotel lies the cityscape of Domažlice. The owners of the resort plan to use the meditative tranquillity of the surrounding forests as a setting for yoga weekends. The region, crisscrossed with centuries-old pilgrimage trails and ancient trade routes, has an extraordinarily rich history, full of stories of glassmakers, border defenders and vanished villages - the largest of which is Ples, where 800 people still lived in the early 20th century. From the Bohemian Forest Resort you can reach it by a pleasant walk along a forest trail in about an hour.
The little-known tourist area of the Chod border region also offers lovers of active recreation hundreds of kilometres of varied and well-marked cycle paths. The wooded terrain of the Bohemian Forest Protected Landscape Area is interspersed with a mosaic of pastures, meadows and peat bogs, thus inviting you to a peaceful bike ride in the middle of unspoilt nature.
Tips for cycling trips in the surroundings of the Český les Resort
Pan-European cycle route Prague - Paris
The Pan-European Cycle Route, the predecessor of which was the medieval Golden Road, connects the Czech Republic with Germany and France and its entire length is 1570 km. The Czech part runs from Prague through Plzeň to the Železná - Eslarn border crossing, which is only a few minutes from the Český les Resort. Guests have any trail at their fingertips, one of the most popular is the Železná - Bělá nad Radbuzou trail with a pleasant length of 18 km.
The Iron Curtain Route
This 10,400 km long cycling trail connecting the Barents Sea with the Black Sea symbolises European history, natural beauty and cultural wealth. The trail passes through the village of Železná, allowing guests to choose the length and direction of their trip.
Bavarian-Czech Friendship Trail
This 90 km long trail connects Nabburg in the Upper Palatinate Forest with Horšovský Týn. Half of the route runs along a former railway line and cyclists can admire the beauty of the unspoilt river valleys and get a glimpse into the local history of glassmaking and blacksmithing. The route climbs up to the border at Schwarzach, where it crosses into the Czech Republic, from where you can also enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
Bockl-Radweg
Often described as the best cycle path in the region, the Bockl-Radweg offers a route ideal for families with children. The surface of the trail, which runs mostly off busy roads on the site of a former timber railway line, is half gravel and half asphalt.
