Borkovická blata

Borkovická blata is a protected peat bog nature reserve in the Tábor district, within the cadastral territory of the village of Borkovice, in the northwestern part of the Třeboň peat bog complex. It forms the northernmost peat bog of the Třeboň Basin, situated roughly three kilometers north of the village of Mažice.

What does the reserve protect?

The reserve safeguards a well-preserved fragment of a hand-harvested transitional fen ecosystem, together with its characteristic plant and animal life. The area was first placed under protection on September 18, 1980, when it was declared a nature reserve. When the reserve was formally re-established in 2011, its boundaries were redefined and its area set at 104.22 hectares.

How old is this peat bog?

The peat bog's history stretches back an extraordinarily long time: the formation process began more than 10,000 years ago. Over these millennia, accumulating plant matter built up a peat layer that in places reaches a depth of 4 to 8 meters. This considerable thickness is the reason the site was historically exploited for peat extraction, traces of which are still visible along today's nature trail.

What can you see along the nature trail?

A nature trail built in 1979–1980 runs through the reserve. The route covers 6.5 kilometers and typically takes about two hours to walk. Along the way, visitors get a close look at the bog's distinctive ecosystem — plants and animals adapted to acidic, waterlogged conditions — while information panels along the route explain both the history of peat extraction here and the subsequent recultivation of the land once mining ended. A significant stretch of the trail runs along a wooden boardwalk, allowing visitors to venture safely into the wet interior of the reserve without the risk of sinking into the soft ground.

Who is this destination for?

Borkovická blata appeals mainly to visitors interested in nature, peat bogs, and the wider landscape of the Třeboň Basin — a region famous for its dense network of ponds and wetlands. The nature trail requires no special physical preparation, making it a good fit for families with children as well as nature photographers looking for a quiet, uncrowded route away from more heavily visited sites.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Borkovická blata located? The reserve lies in the Tábor district, within the cadastral area of Borkovice, in the northwestern part of the Třeboň peat bogs, about three kilometers north of Mažice.

How large is the reserve? Following its re-establishment in 2011, the reserve covers 104.22 hectares.

When was the site first protected? The area was declared protected on September 18, 1980, with its status and boundaries formally redefined again in 2011.

How long is the nature trail and how long does it take to walk? The trail, built in 1979–1980, is 6.5 kilometers long and usually takes about two hours to complete.

When did the peat bog start forming? The peat bog has been forming for more than 10,000 years, with the peat layer reaching a local depth of 4 to 8 meters.