Podyjí National Park

In addition to the diverse hiking areas of Czechia, there are other scenic natural spots in the country. These include, for example, the Bohemian Forest National Park as well as Podyjí National Park, which bring you closer to the unique features of Czech nature. Although Podyjí National Park is the country's smallest national park at 63 square kilometres, it is just as significant as other protected areas. Here you can admire pristine river valleys and find peace in densely forested areas. The national park impresses with its idyllic atmosphere and invites you to relaxing nature experiences.

Podyjí National Park: the key facts

The national park is located on the border with Austria in southern Czechia and is therefore easily accessible from Brno or Vienna. The city of Brno is only about 70 km from the national park. This means you can reach the park by car within about an hour and ideally combine a city trip to Brno with a day trip into nature. The city of Vienna is a bit further away, but from there it also only takes around an hour and a half to reach Czechia's smallest national park. If you would like to spend several days in nature, the town of Znojmo is particularly well suited as a starting point. It is located right on the edge of the national park. In addition, Podyjí National Park merges seamlessly into Thayatal National Park. Together, the two protected areas form the UNESCO Podyjí–Thayatal Biosphere Reserve.

Due to the region's wartime history, the nature along the border remained largely untouched and left to itself for a long time. As a result, you can still admire the area's original beauty today. Podyjí National Park is particularly well known for its species-rich dry grasslands and vineyard slopes. The Dyje River flows idyllically through the landscape, shaping the riverbanks with rocks, vineyards and blooming meadows. Discover diverse flower meadows and orchards – a place perfectly suited for peaceful and romantic hikes.

An inviting natural landscape

During a visit to the national park, you will be impressed by the variety of butterflies and orchids. The mild climate, many hours of sunshine and the park's high level of protection create ideal conditions for numerous animal and plant species. As you explore, you can follow the marked hiking trails and observe rare butterflies along the way. These can be spotted particularly well on the Fladnitz Heath (Havranické vřesoviště). Also remarkable are the green lizards in the Kaidling Heath (Kaidanovská step). If you experience nature not only during the day but also in the evening, with a bit of luck you may hear the wingbeats of bats. Among other places, they live at the ruins of Nový Hrádek Castle (Neuhäusl). The ruin is worth seeing not only at night but also during the day. It lies in the middle of the Dyje Valley and offers an impressive view over the national park.

You should also not miss the blooming pasque flowers along the Hájský brook. This plant genus grows only in certain locations, such as poor, dry meadows or open woodlands. In Central Europe it is considered rare and highly endangered, and is therefore also under strict nature protection in Czechia. Pasque flowers bloom in spring (from late March to May), and during this time they can also be admired in the national park. Besides rare plants, with a bit of luck you might also spot rare animal species such as the black stork or the rock bunting. The rock bunting (Emberiza cia) is a rare songbird species that occurs in Czechia almost exclusively in this region. This makes the national park particularly attractive for birdwatchers.

A wine-growing region amid nature

It is not only the nature that is exceptional in this region, but also the wine-growing areas. First-class European vineyards are found not only in the valleys of the Rhine and Rhône, but also in the Dyje Valley. This valley is part of Podyjí National Park and is known for high-quality wines. Visit the Šobes vineyard, which, thanks to its sunny, wind-sheltered south-facing slope, is said to be among the ten best wine-growing areas in Europe. You can also get to know the valley better via various nature trails. Besides hiking, climbing is also an option: climb the Raven Rock (Vraní skála) and experience the national park from a new perspective. In the warm summer months, cycling is also a great way to explore nature and follow the marked cycling routes. Finally, a tasting of the regional white wines is well worth it.

Best time to visit

Depending on what you would like to focus on during your visit, the ideal time to visit Podyjí National Park varies. If you are interested in rare plants and would especially like to experience orchids or pasque flowers in bloom, a visit in spring is recommended. If you want to explore the vineyards and are enthusiastic about butterflies, summer is particularly suitable. Autumn impresses with colourful forests along the nature trails. In winter, on the other hand, you can observe birds and enjoy the park's special tranquillity.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

Regardless of the season, Podyjí National Park offers tranquillity, variety and an unforgettable nature experience. We wish you a pleasant trip to Czechia and lots of enjoyment on your exploration of Podyjí National Park. Please don't forget to find out about Czechia's toll regulations beforehand. You can find information on the toll in our guide. You are also welcome to use our route planner to better plan your trip and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Please contact us by email.