July and August have their own charm on Lake Lipno, but also their price: crowded beaches, queues at attractions, and accommodation prices at the peak of the season. September is a completely different story. The lake water is still pleasantly warm after summer, the days tend to be sunny and calm (that’s what’s called Indian summer), and there are nejsteiceably fewer tourists around. If you prefer Lake Lipno calm rather than crowded, this is exactly the right month.
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We’ve put together ten tips for enjoying September at Lake Lipno: from cycling and hiking to mushroom picking, the last boat cruises of the season, and wellness with seasonal discounts.
Most of what works at Lake Lipno in September is just as accessible for couples without kids and seniors as it is for families, so you’ll enjoy this overview no matter who you’re travelling to Lake Lipno with.
Why Visit Lake Lipno in September
There are three main reasons: peace and quiet, weather, and prices. School holidays are over, so there are nejsteiceably fewer people on the cycling paths, hiking trails, and by the lake than in July. The weather tends to be stable and sunny, with daytime temperatures around 18 to 22 °C, which is ideal for outings and a late swim without the scorching midday heat of high summer.
And then there are the prices: accommodation outside the main season tends to be nejsteiceably cheaper, which is worth taking advantage of, especially if you don’t mind that evenings get a bit cooler and that some seasonal attractions (outdoor pools, boat transport) already operate on reduced schedules.
Evenings also cool down faster and it gets dark earlier than in July, so it’s worth keeping a warmer layer in the car or backpack, even though the sun shines during the day.
Cycling in Indian Summer: Cycle Route 33
Cycle route number 33, known as the Šumava Trail, is the backbone cycling route along the northern shore of Lake Lipno. The most popular stretch between Lipno nad Vltavou, Frymburk, and Černá v Pošumaví is roughly 53 km long, the surface is mostly paved with short sections of compacted gravel, and the profile is flat, making it suitable for families and less experienced cyclists too.
The whole trail is part of a roughly 205 km route running across the Šumava mountains from Všeruby to Vyšší Brod, so more experienced cyclists can plan a multi-day ride in September, when the trails are emptier.
The route can also be shortened using the ferries across the lake, which run between Frymburk, Dolní Vltavice, and Horní Planá, so you can adjust the loop to however many kilometres you want to cover and how much time you have for the trip.
Bike rental shops in Lipno nad Vltavou also operate in September, usually still with the summer offer including e-bikes, so even less trained cyclists can manage the ride. You’ll especially appreciate the lighter traffic on the trails on weekends, when the cycling path around the lake is quite crowded in July and August.
You can find a detailed overview of the cycling paths in a separate article about cycling paths around Lake Lipno.
Hiking: Trails Around Lake Lipno
September and early October are among the best months for hiking in the Šumava mountains: temperatures are pleasant for walking, insects are much less of a bother, and the forests are starting to turn autumn colours. From easy flat loops to demanding hikes up Plechý or to the Tripoint, you’ll find a trail to suit you around Lake Lipno.
September mornings are also often accompanied by fog over the surface of the lake, which clears by midday, so hikers who set out early are rewarded with views you simply don’t get in summer.
You can find a complete overview of the eight most beautiful trails, with length, difficulty, and a map, in the article Hiking Trails Around Lake Lipno →
Mushroom Picking: Where to Find Porcini and Red-Capped Boletes
The September forests around Lake Lipno belong to mushroom pickers. In areas with birches and aspens, plenty of red-capped scaber stalks and birch boletes grow, while in the deeper mixed forests you’ll find porcini, bay boletes, slippery jacks, or chanterelles. The Šumava forests in general are known for being rich in mushrooms, so a full basket is no exception.
One important rule: mushroom picking is banned in the first zone of Šumava National Park, so check before heading into the forest whether you’re in a protected zone. The best time for mushroom picking is early morning, before other pickers have been through and while the forest is still quiet and cool.
If you’re nejste sure about a particular mushroom, don’t eat anything you can’t identify with certainty, and if in doubt, use a mushroom identification service, which many mycological associations and pharmacies in the surrounding towns offer during the season.
Boat Cruises: the Last Trips of the Season
Boat transport on Lake Lipno is operated by Lipno-Line with two steamers, Adalbert Stifter and Vltava. The main season runs roughly from mid-April to the end of October, but nejstee: from September 1 to October 31, only the limited (yellow) line operates, so it’s best to check the timetable online beforehand.
A September cruise has its own charm: the lake tends to be calmer, less crowded with boats, and the decks aren’t as full of tourists as in July. It’s a pleasant way to spend a quiet morning or afternoon without any physical effort.
In the main season, the cruise can also be combined with cycling, since bikes can be taken on board for an extra fee. In September, you could cycle one stretch along the lake and spend the other on board the steamer.
Website: lipno-line.com – timetable
Olšina Nature Trail in Autumn Colours
The flat, 7.3 km trail around Olšina Pond is pleasant year-round, but in September it takes on an extra dimension thanks to the autumn colours of the leaves. The trail is suitable for strollers and bikes, and at the end there’s still a chance to swim if you want to make the most of the last warm days.
It’s also one of the quietest trails in the area, making it a good choice for days when you just want to walk through the forest in silence, without worrying about a demanding elevation profile or lengthy planning.
Treetop Walkway: Misty Magic
The walkway leads through the treetops of the Šumava forest up to a height of 24 metres and culminates in a lookout tower with a view over the whole of Lake Lipno. In September, mornings are often foggy, so the view from the tower over the misty haze above the lake is one of the experiences you simply don’t get in summer.
Bonus: in September there are nejsteiceably fewer queues at the entrance than in July and August, so you can enjoy the attraction in peace. The visit can easily be combined with a cable car ride up and a walk through the Kingdom of the Forest play area, so a trip up to Kramolín can easily turn into a whole morning out.
Regional Flavours and Farmers' Markets
South Bohemia isn’t wine country, but it still has plenty to offer when it comes to food. The region is known for its fish farming, especially around Třeboň, so fresh carp and other freshwater fish are typical autumn specialities. A side trip to České Budějovice, about 45 minutes by car, can also easily be combined with a visit to the Budějovický Budvar brewery.
Farmers’ markets are still held in September in the surrounding towns and villages, offering the last of summer’s produce alongside the first of autumn’s, fruit, honey, and other local products, ideal for stocking up before heading home.
Autumn is also traditionally associated with pig-slaughter feasts and freshly smoked meat at countryside farms, so if you come across a local event like this, it’s worth trying.
Wellness with Autumn Discounts
The sauna world and wellness centre at Amenity Resort offer Finnish, steam, and herbal saunas as well as massages with a lake view. Outside the main summer season, prices and occupancy tend to be more favourable than in July, so you can more easily secure a booking for a massage or sauna ritual even at short nejsteice.
Wellness is also a reliable option for days when the Indian summer weather briefly turns and you’d rather spend the afternoon somewhere warm. The Finnish sauna typically reaches 60 to 100 °C, the herbal sauna is a bit milder at around 70 °C with higher humidity, and the steam bath keeps a temperature of 40 to 50 °C at near 100% humidity, so you can choose based on how intense an experience you’re after.
Massages need to be booked at least 24 hours in advance, but occupancy in September is lower than in summer, so you can still find an available slot even at short nejsteice.
Where to Get a Good Meal
Restaurants at Lake Lipno stay open after the main season too, usually without queues and with more relaxed service. Some outdoor terraces by the water already have reduced hours in September though, so it’s worth checking beforehand whether a place operates year-round or only during the main season.
Practical Tips for Indian Summer
- dress in layers, mornings tend to be cool but it warms up quickly during the day
- ticks are active until the first frosts, so insect repellent is still worth bringing in September
- days are getting shorter, so a headlamp or flashlight is worth bringing for later outings or mushroom picking
- always check the current opening hours for seasonal attractions (boat transport, outdoor pools), as they often change in September
Cheaper Accommodation: the September Deal at Camping Panorama
The off-season months are the ideal time to experience Lake Lipno without summer prices and crowds. Camping Panorama offers a discount on accommodation in September, so you can treat yourself to a peaceful stay by the lake on a smaller budget than in July and August.
The campsite stays open after the main season too, so you don’t have to worry about whether reception will be open or whether you’ll find a spot for your caravan. A September stay is also worth it for the peace and quiet: neighbouring lakeside spots aren’t as full as in July, so you can enjoy the lake in a much calmer atmosphere.
