Šumava National Park (photo: Czech Tourism)

It has been more than 60 years that people have set foot in this part of Šumava National Park. For much of this time, access was forbidden, as this was part of the "no-go zone" imposed by the communist regime along the (West) German border. For all that time, this part of the park was visited by only a few forestry workers or the border police.

The area has been described as a small piece of Canada right in the middle of Europe.

Nevertheless, visitors will not have unlimited access to the region. First, they will have to register on a waiting list available online. The list opened in June, but is sure to fill up fast. Moreover, whether the park will continue to accessible to the public next year depends on how this year's trial works out.

Currently, nature preservationists are reopening the closed areas with caution. Still, they represent one fifth of the park's entire area. Access will depend on an assessment of the first two months and on the state of the peat bogs in the protected zone.