National Park Podyjí is one of Central Europe’s best-kept secrets — a breathtaking expanse of near-pristine forest carved by the deep meandering Dyje River along the Czech-Austrian border. This compact park packs an extraordinary punch: dramatic river canyon views, ancient oak woodlands, rare steppe grasslands, and over 65km of well-marked trails. It’s a paradise for hikers, cyclists, and anyone seeking an authentic slice of Moravian wilderness away from the crowds.
Quick Facts: National Park Podyjí
- Best time to visit: May–September for hiking; spring for wildflowers; autumn for spectacular forest colours
- Top attraction: The Dyje River canyon viewpoints, especially from Šobes vineyard — one of Europe’s oldest vineyards
- How to get there: ~1.5 hours from Brno by car; nearest town is Znojmo (10km); bus connections available from Znojmo to Čížov visitor centre
- Entry fee: Free
- Trail difficulty: Easy to moderate; most trails are well-maintained forest paths
What Makes Podyjí Special
The park’s defining feature is the Dyje River valley — a serpentine canyon that has carved its way through the Bohemian Massif over millions of years. The meanders are so tight and deep that the valley creates its own microclimate, supporting plant species normally found much further south.
Podyjí holds the European Diploma for Protected Areas from the Council of Europe and is a member of the EUROPARC federation. The park protects near-natural forests dominated by oak and hornbeam, rare dry grasslands, and rocky steppe habitats that host several endemic plant species.
Things To Do
- Hike the river canyon trail: The classic route runs from Čížov to Hardegg along the Dyje — about 12km of stunning river views, ancient forests, and castle ruins.
- Visit Hardegg Castle: Austria’s smallest town sits just across the river, dominated by its perfectly preserved medieval castle. See more European castles →
- Cycle the Podyjí Trail: A 42km marked cycling route connects all the main viewpoints and villages around the park.
- Explore Šobes vineyard: One of Europe’s oldest commercial vineyards, dating back to the Middle Ages, set on a sunny south-facing slope above the river.
- Spot wildlife: The park is home to black storks, Eurasian eagle-owls, fire salamanders, and if you’re very lucky, the elusive European wildcat.
National Park Podyjí is located in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, on the borders with Austria. It protects near-natural forests along the deep Dyje River valley that is unique in Central Europe. The park is extended in Austria with smaller National park Thayatal.
National Park Podyjí holds the European Diploma for Protected Areas, awarded by the Council of Europe and its administration is a member of Europe’s protected areas – EUROPARC.
View National Park Podyjí in Czech republic in a larger map
Have you visited National Park Podyjí or the Znojmo region? I’d love to hear about your favourite trails and viewpoints in the comments below! 🏞️
Exploring more of the Czech Republic? Check out our guides to Czech Republic and National Parks across Europe.
