Stezka Korunami Stromů Lipno stretches 675 metres through a mixed forest of spruce, beech and fir above the town of Lipno nad Vltavou in South Bohemia's Šumava region. The path rises gently from the treeline to a 40-metre spiral tower, offering one of the most accessible elevated forest experiences in the Czech Republic. It opened in 2012 and has drawn visitors year-round ever since — families, day-trippers, and anyone drawn to height without a demanding climb.
The walkway itself sets a slow, curious pace. Gradient stays gentle throughout, and the surface suits wheelchairs and strollers without compromise. Multilingual interpretation panels appear at intervals, explaining how foresters manage the canopy, how bark beetles shape a forest, and which birds move through Šumava's treetops. Adventure stations for children punctuate the route — rope elements, balance challenges, low-stakes physical play that keeps younger visitors engaged without pulling adults away from the forest itself. The path opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (Central European time).
The tower is the walk's centrepiece and its reward. A ramped helix winds upward for 40 metres, and the view at the top earns the climb. Lake Lipno spreads out below in full silver-blue; the Šumava hills layer away to the south; on a clear day, the Alps mark the horizon. For those who want a faster descent, a 52-metre spiral slide drops from a 19-metre platform inside the tower. Two seconds of commitment, then the echo and laughter of a genuinely good idea.
The walk sits inside a broader outdoor resort, and that context matters. Summer brings warm lake views and busy trails — ideal conditions for combining the treetop path with the adjacent bike park or bobsled track. Autumn turns the beech forest vivid, with temperatures in the mid-teens and exceptional sightlines across the hills. Winter covers the canopy in snow, the tower becomes a lookout over ski pistes, and temperatures can drop well below zero, so layering matters. Spring offers quiet trails, melting ice and early greens — often the least crowded time to visit. The chairlift from Lipno nad Vltavou serves as both access route and attraction, lifting visitors from the lakeside up to the forest with views along the way.
Getting here by public transport is straightforward. The bus stop named Stezka korunami stromů sits approximately 50 metres from the venue — the most direct local option. The train station at Lipno nad Vltavou, served by regional line Os188xx, lies approximately 2.3 kilometres away in a straight line; from there, the chairlift provides a scenic connection up to the walkway. Visitors arriving by water can use the ferry via the Lipno Line, which also serves Lipno nad Vltavou at roughly 2 kilometres' distance. Accommodation in the area ranges from resort hotels to lakeside apartments, with overnight options close to the chairlift base.
Stezka Lipno suits families with young children, visitors with accessibility needs, active day-trippers exploring Šumava, and anyone who wants a genuine forest perspective without a strenuous hike. Full accessibility, year-round opening and integration with a multi-activity resort make it one of the more complete treetop attractions in Central Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the treetop walkway suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
A: Yes. The 675-metre path maintains a gentle gradient throughout and the surface is designed to accommodate both wheelchairs and strollers without compromise, making it one of the more genuinely accessible elevated forest walks in the Czech Republic.
Q: What is the spiral slide, and do all visitors have to use it?
A: A 52-metre spiral slide drops from a 19-metre platform inside the tower — a fast, optional descent that takes roughly two seconds. Visitors who prefer to walk back down can do so; the slide is a bonus rather than the only way out.
Q: When is a good time of year to visit?
A: Each season offers something distinct. Summer brings warm weather and lively lake views ideal for combining with the resort's bike park or bobsled track. Autumn turns the beech forest vivid gold with clear sightlines across Šumava. Winter wraps the canopy in snow and the tower doubles as a lookout over the ski pistes — dress warmly. Spring is the quietest and often least crowded season, with fresh greens and crisp air.
Q: How do visitors get up to the walkway from the lakeside town?
A: The chairlift from Lipno nad Vltavou is both a practical access route and an attraction in itself, lifting visitors from the lakeside up to the forest with views along the way. The nearest bus stop — named Stezka korunami stromů — is approximately 50 metres from the venue. The train station at Lipno nad Vltavou (regional line Os188xx) is around 2.3 kilometres away; the ferry via the Lipno Line also serves Lipno nad Vltavou at a similar distance.
Q: Is there enough to keep children engaged beyond just walking the path?
A: Yes. Adventure stations appear at intervals along the route — rope elements, balance challenges and low-stakes physical play — alongside multilingual interpretation panels that explain the forest ecology. The spiral slide from the tower is a firm favourite. Combined with the broader resort's seasonal activities, there is typically more than enough to fill a family day.
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