Liven up your rambles through Šumava with a tour of a unique technical monument, the Schwarzenberg Canal. This was built in 1789 to 1791 for transportation of wood from the mountains of Šumava inland. It is one of the most remarkable man-made water works of its time and almost 90km in length. It was first used to transport wood to Vienna and later for transportation to the Vltava. Tens of road and foot bridges span the canal, locks, dykes and sluice gates. Combine an undemanding (approx. 8km) walk along the canal with a trip to Lake Plešné. Do this in the summer on foot or by bike, in the winter on cross-country skis. Or make sometime to watch a demonstration of log driving which takes place here several times a year.