Nordwaldkammweg II Tour 12 Rading - Svatý Tomáš na Šumavě

The village of Rading (possibility to refresh) is the starting point on the path still marked with the Nordwaldkammweg II logo towards Weigetschlag (route 11, not far from Weigetschlag is the namesake border crossing with old customs house), then to the amazing Pilzstein (5 min – detour, marked in red), then almost to the Sternstein via Ablege (connection path V7 to the Sternstein summit, trail junction in Sternwald, N48° 33.777', N14° 16.813', steep and rocky ascent difficult even for mountain bikers (cycling is not allowed everywhere in Sternwald!)) and down to the pond of Dürnau. From here it is not far to the Czech border with the orientation point Hraniční Potok (A/CZ, N48° 34.479', N14° 16.674'). This area around the Dürnau stream is now difficult to pass due to young forest; it was once the settlement area of Frantoly / Frauenthal. There are also other crossing options on old paths, but these are not marked. On a 900 m long path financed by the EU, which is also suitable for cyclists as shown by the numerous “stickers” of various routes at the border crossing, we reach the next orientation point Bombardiště (N48° 35.240', E14° 16.494'). Here begins a stretch of asphalt road uphill with cycle path marking 1205, which we follow 900 m west to the yellow KCT marking at N48° 35.337', E14° 15.852' - Frantoly junction. At this point from the right comes the Nordwaldkammweg III, the historical variant via Rosenberg, which ends at Frantoly junction.

The yellow marking extending from NWKW III leads us to the orientation point Frantoly (N48° 35.208', E14°15.610'), where the clearing afterwards offers a good overview of the path covered today. We have now reached the nature park / Prirodni park Vysebrodsko and approach the former village Stern / Hvězda, which also gave its name to the wind farm here. The resting hut with the wind turbine behind it as orientation point stands at a sharp left curve of the Czech forest road L.c. Svahovka at the upper end of the former village Stern / Hvězda. It allows access to the Sternwald wind farm and is the starting point of the unmarked, short (400 m) connection path V6 to the classic Nordwaldkammweg.

On the further route, the next wind turbines can be seen on the left, which will repeatedly help with orientation. The summit of Hvezdna (1,012 m) from the orientation point Hvezdna - odb. (N48° 35.191', E14° 13.808') is only a few meters away on the yellow spur marking. Now we approach downhill on the gravel cycle path 1205 the polished settlement Kapellen / Kapličky (N 48°35.790', E14° 13.036') with memorial plaques and a former military observation tower. From here we continue on the road with cycle path 1033 from Mnichovice to Guglwald, which also follows the connection path V5 in one variant.

The further route is marked blue and red to the orientation point U Překopane Hráze (N48° 36.198', N14° 12.626'). On the blue KČT marking towards U Medvědí Stěny a 200 m short detour to a beautiful moor pond is recommended with a view back to Sternwald and the wind turbines of the Sternwald wind farm. Returning to the orientation point U Překopane Hráze we follow on the red marked KCT path through old settlement remains (Lipova / Lindberg, orientation point N48° 36.831', E14° 12.289') the Nordwaldkammweg II downhill on the forest road to Přední Výtoň / Heuraffl. Here there are refreshment and accommodation options, also the connection path V5 along the road to Guglwald leads to accommodation possibilities. But we still have the final ascent to Svatý Tomáš / St. Thomas ahead of us.

Shortly before the day’s goal Svatý Tomáš we reach the road from Frýdava to Pasečná at the orientation point Uhlišťě (N 48°38.32703', E 14°7.79813'). Here begins the educational trail Naučná Stezka Svatý Tomáš, which leads as a circular route via the winter trail (Zimní Cesta) to Svatý Tomáš and back here again.

Arrived at Svatý Tomáš, there might still be time to visit the old church and the ruin Wittinghausen / Vítkův Kámen. The 800 m long path to the ruin is marked with a castle symbol. The Wittinghausen ruin offers a viewing platform with views of the Bohemian Forest, the Moldau reservoir, the Sternstein, and – in suitable weather – the Alps. The Hotel Svatý Tomáš, suitable for overnight stays, was formerly the Schwarzenberg forester’s house.