Mokřad u Borského rybníka

Mokřad u Borského rybníka (Wetland by Borský Pond) is a small but ecologically valuable nature reserve tucked into the Křemže Basin, on the northern shore of Borský rybník, roughly one kilometre east of the village of Křemže, within the Mříč municipal area. The site forms part of the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area and has held nature monument status since 1999.

What does the reserve look like?

The wetland is dominated by dense reed beds and unmown, waterlogged meadows that stretch along the pond's shoreline. It's precisely this transitional zone between open water and dry land that gives the reserve its ecological value — regular flooding and a consistently high water table have created conditions where moisture-dependent plant communities can thrive undisturbed.

Why is this place protected?

The reserve exists to protect wetland vegetation along the pond's riparian zone, including several rare and legally protected plant species — most notably wild orchids. Two species in particular stand out: the broad-leaved marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis) and the early marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata), both of which depend on the kind of permanently damp, nutrient-poor meadow habitat found here. Their presence, combined with the extensive reed beds, makes this a notable site on the ecological map of the Český Krumlov district.

The protected area itself is modest in size — sources put it somewhere between under one hectare and just under two hectares — making it one of the more compact, but ecologically concentrated, reserves in the region.

How to get there

Mokřad u Borského rybníka sits right next to Křemže, making it an easily reachable stop for anyone exploring the Křemže Basin on foot or by bike. The surrounding area is a popular hiking region at the foot of the Blanský les range, not far from Český Krumlov itself.

What to know before visiting

Because of its protected status, the wetland and adjoining meadows aren't meant to be walked through freely — the best way to experience the site is to observe it from paths running along the pond's edge. The most rewarding time to visit is late spring into early summer, when the orchids bloom and the meadows fill with their distinctive pink-purple flower spikes.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Mokřad u Borského rybníka located? The reserve lies in the Křemže Basin, on the northern shore of Borský rybník, about one kilometre east of Křemže, in the Český Krumlov district.

What is protected here? The reserve protects wetland and reed vegetation along the pond's shoreline, with particular focus on rare orchid species — the broad-leaved marsh orchid and the early marsh orchid.

Since when has the area been protected? The site has been designated a nature monument since 1999.

What larger protected area does it belong to? Mokřad u Borského rybníka is part of the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area.

When is the best time to visit? Late spring to early summer, when the orchids growing in the wet meadows are in bloom.