The Úhlava river springs on the western slope of Pancíř mountain (1,241 m) at the altitude of 1,110 m. It flows to the north-west to the town Nýrsko. Then it turns to the north-east and empties into the Radbuza river in the town Plzeň (Pilsen).

The river is 108 km long and it takes water from an area 919 square km.

The Úhlava river is dammed by the Nýrsko Dam ahead of the town Nýrsko.