Kladské rašeliny

Kladské rašeliny (Kladská Peatlands) is a national nature reserve in the Slavkov Forest, less than nine kilometers north of Mariánské Lázně, spread between the villages of Prameny and Lázně Kynžvart. It is one of the most valuable and most visited peatland areas in this part of the Czech Republic, protected since 1933 and now covering more than 305 hectares.

What does the reserve consist of?

The area is divided into five distinct sections: Tajga, Paterák, Lysina, Husí les, and Malé rašeliniště. Each represents a different stage of raised-bog development, but only the Tajga section is open to visitors — the remaining parts are under strict protection and cannot be entered outside the marked trail.

The reserve was established to protect an unusual peatland vegetation community, including dwarfed forms of bog pine and peat pine that resemble stunted mountain pine. Among the plants growing here are round-leaved sundew, cotton grass, and lingonberry — species typical of poor, acidic, waterlogged habitats. The reserve's fauna includes red deer, black grouse, black stork, and even the Eurasian lynx, underscoring how undisturbed this landscape has remained.

Exploring the peatland

The Tajga section is crossed by the NS Kladská nature trail, built on wooden boardwalks that let visitors cross the waterlogged bog safely without damaging its fragile surface. The first boards of this walkway were laid back in 1977, making it one of the oldest trails of its kind in the region. Along the way, visitors can observe the rare vegetation and bog structure up close while the elevated boardwalk keeps foot traffic from harming the ecosystem below.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Kladské rašeliny located? The reserve lies in the Slavkov Forest in western Bohemia, between the villages of Prameny and Lázně Kynžvart, close to Mariánské Lázně.

Can visitors explore the whole reserve? No — only the Tajga section is open to the public, accessed via the boardwalk nature trail. The other four sections are strictly protected and off-limits.

What is there to see on site? Distinctive peatland vegetation, including dwarf pines, round-leaved sundew, cotton grass, and lingonberry, plus a chance — with luck — to spot signs of black grouse or lynx.

Since when has the area been protected? The reserve was established in 1933, making it one of the oldest protected areas in the Slavkov Forest region.

Is the trail suitable for families with children? Yes, the wooden boardwalks of the NS Kladská trail run over flat terrain and are accessible to most visitors, though the bog's damp microclimate is worth keeping in mind.