Podyjí National Park
In addition to Czechia’s diverse hiking regions, the country offers many other natural places worth seeing. These include, for example, the Bohemian Forest National Park as well as Podyjí National Park, both of which showcase the unique features of Czech nature. At 63 square kilometres, Podyjí National Park is the smallest national park in the country, yet it is just as important as other protected areas. Here you can admire unspoilt river valleys and unwind in densely wooded landscapes. With its idyllic atmosphere, the park is ideal for relaxing experiences in nature.
Podyjí National Park: the key facts
The national park is located on the border with Austria in the south of Czechia and is therefore easily accessible from Brno or Vienna. The city of Brno is only around 70 km from the park. This means you can reach the park by car in about an hour and conveniently combine a city break in Brno with a day trip into nature. The city of Vienna is a little further away, but you can still reach the smallest national park in Czechia from there in roughly one and a half hours. If you would like to spend several days in nature, the town of Znojmo is an excellent base, as it is located right on the edge of the national park. Podyjí National Park also transitions seamlessly into the neighbouring Thayatal National Park. Together, the two protected areas form the Podyjí–Thayatal UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Due to the region’s wartime history, the natural areas along the border remained largely untouched for a long time and were left to develop on their own. To this day, you can therefore admire the pristine beauty of the landscape. Podyjí National Park is particularly well known for its species-rich dry grasslands and its vineyard slopes. The Dyje River flows gently through the landscape and shapes the riverbanks with rocks, vineyards, and blooming meadows. Discover diverse flower meadows and orchards—an area that is especially well suited to quiet and romantic hikes.
An inviting natural landscape
When visiting 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. During your exploration, you can follow the signposted hiking trails and observe rare butterflies along the way. They can be seen particularly well on the Fladnitz Heath (Havranické vřesoviště). Also noteworthy are the green lizards in the Kaidling Heath (Kaidanovská step). If you explore nature not only during the day but also in the evening, you may even hear the wingbeats of bats with a little luck. They live, among other places, at the ruins of Nový Hrádek Castle (Neuhäusl). However, the ruins are not only worth a visit at night, but also during the day. They are located in the heart of the Dyje Valley and offer an impressive view over the national park.
In addition, you should not miss the blooming pasque flowers along the Hájský potok stream. This plant genus grows only in specific habitats such as nutrient-poor and dry meadows or open woodland. In Central Europe, it is considered rare and highly endangered and is therefore under strict nature protection in Czechia as well. Pasque flowers bloom in spring (from late March to May) and can be admired in the national park during this period. Alongside rare plants, you may 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. For this reason, the park is particularly attractive to birdwatchers and bird enthusiasts.
A wine-growing region in nature
Not only is the natural landscape exceptional in this region, but the wine-growing areas are as well. Some of Europe’s finest vineyard sites are found not only in the Rhine and Rhône valleys, 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 is said to rank among the ten best wine-growing areas in Europe thanks to its sunny, wind-sheltered south-facing slope. You can also explore the valley in greater detail via various educational trails. In addition to hiking, climbing is another popular activity: climb the Raven Rock (Vraní skála) and experience the national park from a completely different perspective. During the warm summer months, cycling is also an excellent way to explore the landscape and follow the well-marked bike paths. To round off your visit, a tasting of the region’s excellent white wines is well worth considering.
Best time to visit
The ideal time to visit Podyjí National Park depends on what you would like to focus on during your stay. If you are interested in rare plants and would especially like to see orchids or pasque flowers in bloom, a visit in spring is recommended. If you would like to explore the vineyards and are fascinated by unique butterflies, summer is particularly suitable. Autumn impresses with colourful forests along the educational trails. In winter, you can observe birds and enjoy the park’s special sense of peace and quiet.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
No matter the season, Podyjí National Park offers tranquillity, variety, and an unforgettable nature experience. We wish you a pleasant trip to Czechia and hope you enjoy exploring Podyjí National Park. Please do not forget to inform yourself in advance about Czechia’s toll regulations. You are also welcome to use our route planner to plan your trip more effectively and view suitable toll products. If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist you. Please contact us via email.
