Frequently Asked Questions

Each paddler is required to ensure their own vessel for rafting.

The Šumava National Park Administration does not operate any rental service; should you need to hire a vessel, contact a rental service operating on the Teplá Vltava.

Only kayaks and canoes are allowed.

Vessels like paddleboards, belly boats, inner tubes, surfboards, air mattresses, and so on cannot be regarded as canoes/kayaks.

According to the Commercial Code, a contract is concluded by paying the reservation, and the customer is entitled to cancel the contract and conclude a new one.

No later than 30 days before departure – 100% of the registration fee is refunded.
30 days or less before departure – the registration fee is not refunded.

If rafting is restricted on the day of your reservation due to low water level (the minimum water level is 50 cm at the Soumarský Most measuring point, see ……), the registration system will automatically return the registration fee to the account from which it was paid. The dates of departure cannot be shifted; should you intend to depart at another time, you need to create a new order.

Send your questions to splouvani.vltava@npsumava.cz, or call +420 731 530 418.

The Teplá Vltava is a relatively calm river of medium intensity. However, to raft the river, you will need at least a basic knowledge of rafting. The stream includes relatively powerful meanders where the current forces the vessel to the riverbank, frequently under overhanging trees. In case of low water levels, it is necessary to follow the flowline (the area with the highest flow). The river is not suitable for first-timers! It is not within the provenance of the guides to teach the basics of rafting after setting out on this river.

The duty of guided rafting is based on the decision of a screening conducted by the Regional Authority of the South Bohemian Region for the notification of intent “Rafting on the Teplá Vltava in the section from Soumarský Most to the bridge at Pěkná since 2013”. The decision was issued under Ref. KUJCK 12439/2013/OZZL, File Number OZZL 7021/2013/kaper. This decision was included in the Visiting Rules of the Šumava National Park. According to this decision, groups of 5 or more vessels must be accompanied by a guide if the water level is between 50–61 cm (Soumarský Most measuring point).

Electronic reservation is paid immediately through a payment gateway (GoPay). Internet payments must be activated for credit cards; you can activate this service with your bank. It is not possible to pay by bank transfer due to the need of on-line registration of the payments.