Čerchov

Mountain Prominent border mountain in Plzeň Region with lookout

Čerchov, the Plzeň Region’s forested peak, provides marked hiking trails, an observation tower and cross-border routes into Germany; visitors come for day hikes and winter snowshoeing when conditions allow.

Main image

Čerchov is a prominent hill in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic, located close to the border with Germany. Its summit is the highest point of the Upper Palatinate Forest in Czech territory.

The area is used by hikers and visitors for short mountain walks and panoramic views from the summit area. There are paths leading to the top from several nearby villages.

In the 20th century the summit area was used for radio and military communications, reflecting its strategic border location; those installations shaped access and development in the area. The hill today is primarily a recreational and natural landmark.

Čerchov sits in western Bohemia near the Czech-German frontier, within the rolling, forested hills of the borderlands southwest of Plzeň.

  • Elevation: The summit reaches 1,042 metres above sea level, making it the highest point of the Upper Palatinate Forest in the Czech Republic.
  • Summit features: The peak has long been used for radio and communications installations and offers panoramic views to the surrounding borderlands.
Čerchov
Čerchov hill area, near Domažlice, Plzeň Region, Czech Republic
49.3835, 12.7846
Free (natural site).

How to Get to Čerchov #

Čerchov (Český les) is commonly reached from the market town of Domažlice, which has regular ČD (Czech Railways) connections from Plzeň; from Domažlice take a local taxi or regional bus to the trailheads around Nemanice/Pec and follow the marked hiking trails to the summit. By car the mountain is approached via local roads from Domažlice; if you are coming from Plzeň expect roughly an hour’s drive (regional route via Domažlice), with final stretches on smaller country roads and parking at trailheads.

Tips for Visiting Čerchov #

  • Aim for early morning or late afternoon on clear days for the best long-distance views across the border into Germany and to avoid the small midday crowds that climb the summit.
  • Use the marked Czech trails from Klenčí pod Čerchovem or from the Domažlice side rather than attempting forest tracks by car; the official walking routes are better signposted and keep you on public paths.
  • Many visitors stop at the trig point; continue a short distance around the summit ridge to find quieter vantage spots and panoramic breaks in the treeline that most people miss.

Best Time to Visit Čerchov #

Best visited late spring through early autumn for the most pleasant hiking and clear views.

Summer (best for hiking)
Jun-Aug · ~10-20°C (summit)
Warmest, longest days and the most reliable conditions for hiking and viewpoints; trails are generally clear.
Shoulder seasons (quiet, variable)
Apr-May, Sep-Oct · ~0-15°C
Cooler and changeable weather with fewer visitors; good for quieter walks but expect wet or chilly days.
Winter (for experienced outdoors people)
Nov-Mar · Below freezing at times
Often snow-covered and cold; routes can be icy and require winter gear and experience.

Weather & Climate near Čerchov #

Climate

Čerchov's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1016 mm/year), wettest in July.

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-5°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.6h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

60 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (117 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 19°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 19°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
14.2h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

29 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

100 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.0h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Čerchov