Kvilda-Pod políčky

Kvilda – Pod políčky is a former nature reserve tucked into the valley of the Kvildský stream, within the municipality of Kvilda in the Prachatice district of South Bohemia. The site sits at the heart of the Šumava mountains, between the hills of Lapka and Orel, just north of Kvilda itself on the way toward the Jezerní slať peat bog and the hamlet of Horská Kvilda.

Why was this place protected?

The area once held official status as a natural monument (registered under number 1237), granted because of its remarkable concentration of protected and endangered plant species tied to peatlands, wetlands, and heathland habitats. Here, fragments of the acidophilic meadow communities once typical of central Šumava have survived — plant communities that have largely disappeared elsewhere in the region under the pressure of agricultural and forestry practices.

Although the formal natural-monument designation was later revoked, the land did not lose its protected status. It now forms part of Zone I of Šumava National Park — the park's strictest protection category, reserved for sites of the highest ecological value where human interference is kept to an absolute minimum.

What else to know about the area

Kvilda itself is one of the highest-lying settlements in the Šumava mountains and a popular starting point for hikers and cyclists exploring the national park. The Pod políčky area borders other ecologically significant sites in the region, including the Jezerní slať peat bog, one of the emblematic wild landscapes of Šumava. The valley of the Kvildský stream, where the site lies, forms a natural corridor linking the higher mountain ridges with the lower valleys below, supporting a rich mosaic of microhabitats — from waterlogged meadows to drier heathland patches.

The landscape of this part of Šumava was shaped over centuries by traditional, extensive mountain farming, which — unlike intensive lowland agriculture — allowed many plant species now rare elsewhere in the Czech Republic to survive here. This history of land use explains why this particular stretch of the valley earned special attention from nature conservationists.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pod políčky still protected today? Yes. Even though its status as a separate natural monument was revoked, the area remains part of Zone I of Šumava National Park, the highest level of protection the park offers.

What can visitors see here? Mainly the distinctive vegetation of Šumava's peatlands and wet meadows — plant communities that have vanished from many other parts of the region due to changes in land use.

How do you get to Pod políčky? The site lies north of Kvilda, toward Jezerní slať and Horská Kvilda, in the valley of the Kvildský stream. The easiest way to reach it is on foot or by bike from the center of Kvilda, following the local Šumava trail network.

Are there other natural attractions nearby? Yes — the Jezerní slať peat bog, one of central Šumava's best-known natural sites, lies right next door, and the surrounding area is crisscrossed with trails through Šumava National Park.