Czechs' Obsession with Hiking: A Perfect Forest Marking System Means No Fear of Getting Lost
Czechs are passionate hikers, almost as if it's 'written in their DNA'. This article explores how a highly developed forest marking system, with over 130 years of history, supports their hiking culture and allows them to enjoy nature without the fear of getting lost.
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- 📰 Published: April 12, 2026 at 16:38
- 🔍 Collected: April 12, 2026 at 17:00 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 13, 2026 at 08:43 (15h 43m after Collected)
2026/4/12 15:38 (Updated 4/12 15:56)
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The Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic features landscapes of canyons, rock pillars, and natural arches. It is home to one of Europe's most spectacular natural rock arches, a massive gray-black arch stretching across the rock face, contrasted by the red and green wooden restaurant beside it. Photo by CNA reporter Liu Yu-ting in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, April 12, 2026. Recommended Reading.
After living in the Czech Republic for a long time, I've realized that the Czech love for hiking is almost a frenzy 'written in their DNA'. This might have also invisibly shaped their national character: reserved, quiet, not fond of showing off, valuing personal space, and cherishing a 'slow life' and a relaxed daily pace over a highly competitive lifestyle. This temperament stems from the Czech people's long immersion in the forests, maintaining a close connection with nature.
The Czech Republic is famous for its rich cultural monuments and historical cities, but few notice that the country also possesses magnificent and beautiful natural landscapes.
Forests cover about 35% of the Czech Republic, mainly concentrated in the border areas and the Central Bohemian Region. The highest peak, Sněžka, is about 1603 meters high, which is not considered tall compared to Taiwan's mountains exceeding 3000 meters. However, precisely because the slopes are relatively accessible, hiking culture has become deeply integrated into daily life, allowing people of all ages to easily enter the mountains and enjoy nature.
Beyond the mountains, the Czech natural scenery presents delicate layers. For example, the Šumava National Park in the south contains vast primeval forests, wetlands, and lakes, showcasing a rarely seen complete natural landscape. The Bohemian Switzerland National Park, located on the Czech-German border, is mainly composed of sandstone, featuring canyons, rock pillars, and natural arches.
During the Easter holiday, I embarked on a three-day hiking trip to the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. Along the way, I couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of nature: sandstone from millions of years ago, shaped by long-term weathering and erosion into various strange rock formations.
Here lies one of Europe's most spectacular natural rock arches, a massive gray-black arch stretching across the rock face, leaving one in awe. Beside it, a red and green wooden restaurant creates a striking contrast, exuding an exotic, almost Tibetan-like atmosphere.
As I ventured deeper into the river valley, vertical cliffs cut through the sky. Listening to the babbling brooks and birdsong, I felt this scene was similar to the 'Shakadang Trail' in Hualien. During the trip, I took a small boat through the canyon waterway. Stone peaks stood like giants on both banks, trees stubbornly took root and grew, and the water reflected the rock walls and the emerald forest canopy, serene and full of life.
I discovered that the hiking trails in Czech forests have a very well-developed marking system. The entire region is almost covered by a dense network of hiking routes, with various colors clearly appearing on signs, stones, and even tree trunks.
These markers are mainly divided into four colors: red represents long-distance or ridge routes, which are usually more challenging; blue is for main routes; green for local routes; and yellow for shortcuts or connecting routes.
This marking system is simply designed, well-planned, and has been in operation for over 130 years. As long as you follow the signs, you hardly need a Google Map or GPS navigation and will almost never get lost.
Speaking of this system, it originated in 1888, established by the Czech Hiking Club, and is still in operation today. This club has long been involved in the development of Czech tourism, including building observation towers and publishing the travel magazine 'Turista'. However, its most iconic contribution is the planning and maintenance of the national hiking route system.
Today, the total length of hiking routes in the Czech Republic has reached 43,000 kilometers. The entire system relies on a massive amount of maintenance work: about 1,750 volunteers regularly inspect and maintain the trails. A full inspection is conducted every three years to repair missing signs, clear vegetation obscuring markers, and update trail condition information. Each year, about 400 to 500 kilometers of new routes are added, while 200 to 300 kilometers of routes are adjusted or removed.
Notably, some hiking routes also combine history and culture. For example, the 17-kilometer 'Gold Digger’s Path' in Šumava National Park recreates medieval gold mining history, while 'Between the Vineyards' in South Moravia introduces the local wine culture and lifestyle.
The Czech love for the forest has also given rise to a unique 'tramping' culture. If you see people in the forest wearing military-style gear, carrying backpacks and guitars, they are most likely not 'deserters' from the Czech army, but so-called 'tramps'.
This culture can be traced back to the period between the two World Wars when some young people, disillusioned with reality, began to recreate romantic imaginations of the American West in the forests outside the cities, dressed as cowboys and Indians.
Every Friday after work, especially among the older generation of Czechs, they put on their gear and head to the nearest forest, regardless of the weather. They spend the entire weekend around a campfire, roasting traditional spicy 'kabanos' sausages on the fire, and singing songs with deep emotion and a touch of nostalgia, creating an interesting scene. (Editor: Tang Pei-chun) 1150412
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The Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic features landscapes of canyons, rock pillars, and natural arches. It is home to one of Europe's most spectacular natural rock arches, a massive gray-black arch stretching across the rock face, contrasted by the red and green wooden restaurant beside it. Photo by CNA reporter Liu Yu-ting in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, April 12, 2026. Recommended Reading.
After living in the Czech Republic for a long time, I've realized that the Czech love for hiking is almost a frenzy 'written in their DNA'. This might have also invisibly shaped their national character: reserved, quiet, not fond of showing off, valuing personal space, and cherishing a 'slow life' and a relaxed daily pace over a highly competitive lifestyle. This temperament stems from the Czech people's long immersion in the forests, maintaining a close connection with nature.
The Czech Republic is famous for its rich cultural monuments and historical cities, but few notice that the country also possesses magnificent and beautiful natural landscapes.
Forests cover about 35% of the Czech Republic, mainly concentrated in the border areas and the Central Bohemian Region. The highest peak, Sněžka, is about 1603 meters high, which is not considered tall compared to Taiwan's mountains exceeding 3000 meters. However, precisely because the slopes are relatively accessible, hiking culture has become deeply integrated into daily life, allowing people of all ages to easily enter the mountains and enjoy nature.
Beyond the mountains, the Czech natural scenery presents delicate layers. For example, the Šumava National Park in the south contains vast primeval forests, wetlands, and lakes, showcasing a rarely seen complete natural landscape. The Bohemian Switzerland National Park, located on the Czech-German border, is mainly composed of sandstone, featuring canyons, rock pillars, and natural arches.
During the Easter holiday, I embarked on a three-day hiking trip to the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. Along the way, I couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of nature: sandstone from millions of years ago, shaped by long-term weathering and erosion into various strange rock formations.
Here lies one of Europe's most spectacular natural rock arches, a massive gray-black arch stretching across the rock face, leaving one in awe. Beside it, a red and green wooden restaurant creates a striking contrast, exuding an exotic, almost Tibetan-like atmosphere.
As I ventured deeper into the river valley, vertical cliffs cut through the sky. Listening to the babbling brooks and birdsong, I felt this scene was similar to the 'Shakadang Trail' in Hualien. During the trip, I took a small boat through the canyon waterway. Stone peaks stood like giants on both banks, trees stubbornly took root and grew, and the water reflected the rock walls and the emerald forest canopy, serene and full of life.
I discovered that the hiking trails in Czech forests have a very well-developed marking system. The entire region is almost covered by a dense network of hiking routes, with various colors clearly appearing on signs, stones, and even tree trunks.
These markers are mainly divided into four colors: red represents long-distance or ridge routes, which are usually more challenging; blue is for main routes; green for local routes; and yellow for shortcuts or connecting routes.
This marking system is simply designed, well-planned, and has been in operation for over 130 years. As long as you follow the signs, you hardly need a Google Map or GPS navigation and will almost never get lost.
Speaking of this system, it originated in 1888, established by the Czech Hiking Club, and is still in operation today. This club has long been involved in the development of Czech tourism, including building observation towers and publishing the travel magazine 'Turista'. However, its most iconic contribution is the planning and maintenance of the national hiking route system.
Today, the total length of hiking routes in the Czech Republic has reached 43,000 kilometers. The entire system relies on a massive amount of maintenance work: about 1,750 volunteers regularly inspect and maintain the trails. A full inspection is conducted every three years to repair missing signs, clear vegetation obscuring markers, and update trail condition information. Each year, about 400 to 500 kilometers of new routes are added, while 200 to 300 kilometers of routes are adjusted or removed.
Notably, some hiking routes also combine history and culture. For example, the 17-kilometer 'Gold Digger’s Path' in Šumava National Park recreates medieval gold mining history, while 'Between the Vineyards' in South Moravia introduces the local wine culture and lifestyle.
The Czech love for the forest has also given rise to a unique 'tramping' culture. If you see people in the forest wearing military-style gear, carrying backpacks and guitars, they are most likely not 'deserters' from the Czech army, but so-called 'tramps'.
This culture can be traced back to the period between the two World Wars when some young people, disillusioned with reality, began to recreate romantic imaginations of the American West in the forests outside the cities, dressed as cowboys and Indians.
Every Friday after work, especially among the older generation of Czechs, they put on their gear and head to the nearest forest, regardless of the weather. They spend the entire weekend around a campfire, roasting traditional spicy 'kabanos' sausages on the fire, and singing songs with deep emotion and a touch of nostalgia, creating an interesting scene. (Editor: Tang Pei-chun) 1150412