Jezerní slať

Jezerní slať is one of the most distinctive peat bogs of the Šumava Mountains, spreading across a high-altitude plateau between the villages of Kvilda and Horská Kvilda. It covers roughly 104 hectares, making it the fourth-largest bog in the entire Šumava region. The area lies within Zone I of Šumava National Park, meaning it receives the highest level of nature protection available in the park.

What makes this peatland special?

The bog stands out for the depth of its peat deposits — averaging 2.5 meters, and reaching as much as 7.6 meters in the undisturbed northwestern section. Such thickness reflects thousands of years of uninterrupted organic accumulation in the cold, damp climate of this upland plain. The surroundings of Jezerní slať are considered among the coldest spots in the Czech Republic, with an average annual temperature of only about 2°C and winter frosts regularly dropping below -30°C.

How was the area protected over time?

Nature protection here has a long history: the first protected status was declared back in 1933, covering 34 hectares at the time. During the 19th and 20th centuries, however, the right-hand portion of the bog was partially drained and harvested for peat, leaving visible traces in the terrain that can still be observed today. The entire area is now safeguarded as part of Šumava National Park.

What can visitors see there?

A short, roughly 350-meter educational trail leads from a small parking area onto a wooden boardwalk, allowing visitors to cross the wettest parts of the bog without disturbing its fragile structure. At the trailhead stands a seven-meter observation tower, from which nearly the entire bog is visible, along with the forested slope on the opposite side, topped by the Sokol peak (1,253 m).

Walking the boardwalk offers a close view of the vegetation typical of high-altitude peat bogs, as well as the unique microclimate that forms above such an expansive open wetland. Given the harsh climate and the site's protected status, visitors are expected to stay on the marked path and boardwalk at all times.

Frequently asked questions

How large is Jezerní slať? The bog covers approximately 104 hectares, making it the fourth-largest peat bog in the Šumava region.

Can you walk directly onto the bog? Yes, but only along the designated wooden boardwalk that forms part of the roughly 350-meter educational trail — the rest of the area is under strict protection.

Where is the best place to view the whole bog? From the seven-meter observation tower at the start of the trail, which offers a view of almost the entire bog and the Sokol peak beyond it.

When was the area first protected? The first nature protection status dates back to 1933, when it covered 34 hectares.