Losenice II

Losenice II is a small but ecologically significant nature reserve in the Klatovy district of the Czech Republic, sitting right on the border between the Šumava Protected Landscape Area and Šumava National Park. The reserve stretches through the valley of the Losenice stream, south of the village of Červená u Kašperských Hor, and covers just under 13.3 hectares.

What does the reserve protect?

The core purpose of Losenice II is to safeguard naturally developing forest stands. Spruce forests growing on waterlogged, boggy sections of the valley dominate the landscape, alongside mountain alder stands mixed with grey alder, which together cover most of the protected area. In the treeless patches, herbaceous plant communities and shrubby vegetation persist, forming a mosaic of habitats typical of the foothill valleys of the Šumava mountains. This variety of environments supports protected plant and animal species that rely on the Losenice valley as a refuge.

Why the name "Losenice II"?

The number in the name is not arbitrary. Directly to the south of this reserve lies an older and smaller reserve simply called Losenice — the two protected areas essentially border one another, forming a shared corridor of protection along the stream. Losenice II was formally established on 1 January 2008, extending conservation to a further stretch of the valley that shares the same qualities as its older neighbor: largely natural forest and wetland meadow fragments that have escaped intensive forestry management.

Why does this valley matter?

Its position straddling the Šumava Protected Landscape Area and Šumava National Park is no coincidence — this is a zone of high ecological value where landscape-level protection meets strict national park conservation. Waterlogged spruce forests and mountain alder stands are increasingly rare habitats in Central Europe, highly sensitive to land drainage and changes in water management. Losenice II, together with the neighboring Losenice reserve, helps maintain continuity of these habitats along the entire stream valley, which matters both for local flora and fauna and for the hydrological stability of the wider region.

How to reach the area around the reserve?

The reserve lies in the heart of the Šumava mountains, near the town of Kašperské Hory, a well-known base for exploring this part of the Bohemian Forest. The nearest landmark is the village of Červená u Kašperských Hor, south of which the Losenice valley unfolds. This is an area favored by hikers and nature lovers looking for something quieter than the more crowded Šumava peaks, offering genuine contact with the region's forests and watercourses.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Losenice II and the Losenice reserve? Losenice is the older and smaller of the two neighboring reserves, located directly south of Losenice II. Both protect similar habitats within the same valley and essentially touch one another.

How large is the reserve? Losenice II covers approximately 13.27 hectares.

When was the reserve established? It was formally declared on 1 January 2008.

What habitats dominate the reserve? Mainly natural spruce forests on waterlogged ground and mountain alder stands mixed with grey alder, complemented by herbaceous and shrub communities in the treeless sections.

Is the reserve located inside Šumava National Park? It sits right on the border between the Šumava Protected Landscape Area and Šumava National Park, making it a transitional zone between the two forms of nature protection.