Lakmal

Lakmal is a small nature reserve in the municipality of Nýrsko, Klatovy District, in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic, within the territory administered by Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape Area. The reserve lies south of the village of Zelená Lhota and northwest of Hojsová Stráž, at elevations ranging from 590 to 715 metres above sea level.

Where exactly is the reserve located?

Lakmal covers an area of 41.32 hectares and was officially designated on 1 August 2003. It falls under the administration of the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR), operating within the Šumava National Park framework. Its geographic coordinates place it at roughly 49°13′30″ N, 13°10′44″ E, right in the heart of Šumava — a mountain range on the border with Germany and Austria, well known for its extensive forests, peat bogs, and strictly protected natural areas.

Why was this area given protected status?

The reserve exists to protect herbaceous and woody plant communities that are dynamically developing across all stages of natural succession. Rather than preserving a single fixed landscape, the protection targets the process of vegetation change itself — from open, herb-dominated ground gradually giving way to woodland communities. This approach allows the ecosystem's natural dynamics to be observed with minimal human interference. Lakmal is classified under IUCN Category IV, meaning it is managed specifically as a habitat and species management area.

What else is worth knowing about the surrounding area?

Close to the reserve stand the Zelenské lípy — two protected memorial lime trees that form a separate, though geographically linked, piece of nature conservation in this part of Šumava. Their presence shows that the area around Zelená Lhota has long been recognised for its natural value, combining individual heritage trees with larger protected landscapes nearby.

Šumava itself is one of the Czech Republic's most recognisable natural regions, stretching along the border with Germany and Austria and known for dense forests, peat-bog reserves, and hiking routes running through areas with minimal human impact. Lakmal, while modest in size compared with some of the larger protected areas nearby, follows the same underlying principle — giving nature the space to continue its own gradual transformation.

Frequently asked questions

How large is the Lakmal reserve? The reserve covers 41.32 hectares.

When was the reserve established? It was officially designated on 1 August 2003.

Who administers the area? It is managed by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, within the Šumava National Park administration.

Which villages border the reserve? It lies south of Zelená Lhota and northwest of Hojsová Stráž, in Klatovy District.

What can visitors see nearby? Nearby stand the Zelenské lípy, two protected memorial lime trees that form a separate but closely located conservation site.