Borek

Borek is a modest but distinctive hill in the Šumava foothills, rising to 859 meters above sea level on the right bank of the Ostružná river, directly across from Velhartice Castle. It sits within the municipality of Velhartice, in the Klatovy district, right next to the village of Nemilkov — a natural starting point for hikes through this quiet, scenic corner of southwestern Bohemia.

What does the summit look like, and what grows there?

Borek actually has two summits joined by a ridge. The higher, northern one is surprisingly flat and covered in dense lingonberry shrubs, which fits the hill's name (the Czech word "bor" refers to a pine forest). The southern summit is rockier, ending in a small outcrop that draws hikers looking for a viewpoint. Outside the nature reserve, the slopes are covered mostly in spruce, with scattered deciduous trees mixed in.

What is the Borek u Velhartic nature reserve?

Since 1993, the northeastern slopes have been protected as the small, 11.2-hectare Borek u Velhartic nature reserve. It was established to preserve Scots pine growing in unusually rocky conditions, along with the rare rock-dwelling lichens that come with it. That combination of dry, sun-exposed rock and pine vegetation is what makes the site ecologically valuable despite its small size.

What traces of mining survive on Borek?

Gold and silver were once extracted from Borek's slopes. Old mine shafts and adits still dot the hillside today, quiet reminders of the region's mining past — the workings themselves aren't marked or open to visitors, but a careful eye will spot the telltale depressions in the forest floor.

What views and trails does Borek offer?

Roughly midway along the ridge connecting the two summits, hikers get an unusually wide view to the west, taking in the Český les range with Čerchov rising above it. Looking east, the outlines of Svatobor and Sedlo come into view. The southern approach climbs steeply through forest, so it's worth planning the route to go up the gentler side and down the steep one, or vice versa depending on fitness. The full loop linking Borek with the surrounding trail network runs about 12 km with roughly 250 m of elevation gain, taking around five hours for an average hiker.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Borek?

The hill reaches 859 meters above sea level.

Is there a marked trail to Borek?

Yes — a ridge trail connects its two summits, and the area forms part of a longer, roughly 12-kilometer circular hiking route.

Is anything near Borek under nature protection?

Yes. The northeastern slopes fall within the Borek u Velhartic nature reserve, which protects Scots pine and rare rock lichens.

How do you reach Borek from Nemilkov?

Nemilkov lies just west of the hill, across the Ostružná river, so the shortest approach follows the river valley toward Velhartice Castle before climbing the steep path up to the ridge.