Čepičná

Čepičná is a limestone hill and nature reserve in the foothills of the Šumava, in the Klatovy district, just a few kilometers from the famous Rabí Castle — the largest castle ruins in the Czech Republic. Its summit reaches 671 meters above sea level, making it the highest point of the Budětice Highlands, a small range of hills above the Otava River.

Where is Čepičná and why is it protected?

The hill rises on the left bank of the Otava, south of the village of Budětice, roughly four kilometers northeast of Sušice. The whole area, including its eastern spur known as Chanovec (555 m), is protected as a nature reserve — listed in the national register under number 2054 and managed by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic. The reason for protection is the hill's unusual geology for this part of the country: outcrops of crystalline limestone that were once worked in small quarries. Today the former quarry pits are partly flooded or overgrown, forming a distinctive feature of the landscape.

What makes the nature of Čepičná special?

The limestone bedrock supports plants that barely occur elsewhere in the mostly acidic, granite-based Šumava region. Several protected, lime-loving and warmth-loving species grow here, including rare orchids and creeping lady's tresses, a small orchid with silvery mottled leaves typical of old beech woods on limestone. The beech stands covering the slopes are considered an important genetic reservoir for the region's native European beech. The hill is also entomologically significant: its sun-exposed slopes and abandoned quarries create a warm microclimate that favors insect species rarely found in the cooler parts of the Šumava.

What is worth seeing at the foot of the hill?

Below Čepičná lies the village of Čepice, sometimes called the "gateway to the middle course of the Otava." It has a historic bridge from 1910, protected as a technical monument, decorated with an unusual glass sculpture of Saint John of Nepomuk. The village also has a small chapel with folk woodcarving and a plaque commemorating Karel Liška (1863–1935), regarded as a pioneer of modern sport fishing in the region. Nearby you can also find an old Jewish cemetery and springs tied to local legends.

How can a visit be combined with Rabí Castle?

Čepičná lies close enough to Rabí that both attractions can easily be combined in a single trip: a walk across the limestone hill with its plant life and traces of old quarries, followed by a visit to the massive ruins of the largest castle in the Czech Republic, towering above the Otava valley. It's a good option for visitors who want to pair nature with regional history in one outing.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Čepičná? The summit reaches 671 meters above sea level and is the highest point of the Budětice Highlands.

Is it a nature reserve or a natural monument? It is a nature reserve, not a natural monument, established mainly to protect its limestone plant communities.

What is the highlight of the reserve? Rare orchids and other lime-loving plants, beech woodland, and the remains of former limestone quarries, now partly flooded.

Is it close to Rabí Castle? Yes, Čepičná lies in the same area as Rabí, home to the largest castle ruins in the Czech Republic, so both can be visited on the same trip.

When is the best time to visit? Late spring and summer are best for seeing the flowering orchids and other warmth-loving plants typical of these limestone slopes.