Na soutoku

Na soutoku is a former nature reserve set in the canyon of the Blanice River, in the Prachatice district near the town of Volary in the Šumava region of southwestern Bohemia. Its name, meaning "at the confluence," refers to the spot where the Křemenný and Milešický streams join the Blanice, between the former settlements of Krejčovice and Zvěřenice. At its largest, the protected territory covered 28.2167 hectares and formed one of the more valuable stretches of river valley in this part of the Šumava.

Why was this stretch of valley protected?

The reserve was declared in 2003 by the Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape Area Administration. The immediate trigger was the flood of August 2002, which completely reshaped the character of the valley: streambeds shifted, new gravel bars and backwaters formed, and the landscape took on a wilder, more natural appearance. Nature conservation authorities decided that this transformed terrain deserved formal protection.

What exactly was being protected?

The main subject of protection was the natural hydrogeological processes occurring in the floodplains of the Blanice, Milešický, and Křemenný streams, along with the spontaneously developing plant communities in riparian woodlands, wetlands, and the habitats surrounding them. It was precisely the unregulated, free-flowing character of the streams and the recurring flooding of the valley floor that allowed these ecosystems to remain so diverse.

Notable protected plant species included alpine snowbell (dřípatka horská), variegated monkshood, martagon lily, and Siberian iris. The fauna included strongly endangered and endangered species such as the freshwater pearl mussel, Eurasian otter, common kingfisher, and Eurasian lynx — all of them dependent on clean water and a naturally functioning riverbed of the kind found in this canyon.

Does the reserve still exist today?

Not in its original form. On 1 July 2021, the Na soutoku protected area was formally abolished and replaced by a new, larger nature reserve called Kaňon Blanice. The change reflected the need to protect a longer stretch of the river canyon, rather than just the section around the former stream confluences. For visitors, this means the name "Na soutoku" now survives mainly as a historical label and as the name of a hiking trail, while the underlying nature protection continues under the new designation.

What can visitors see on site?

A nature trail called Naučná stezka Na Soutoku runs through the canyon, starting at the bridge over the Blanice between the villages of Záblatí and Řepešín. The path follows the river through a scenic, rocky canyon and ends exactly where the tributary streams merge with the main course of the Blanice. It is at this confluence point that the effects of the natural erosion and deposition processes, which reshaped the valley after the 2002 flood, are most visible.

Frequently asked questions

Is Na soutoku still an officially designated nature reserve? No — since 1 July 2021, the area has been part of the larger Kaňon Blanice nature reserve.

Where exactly is this location? In the canyon of the Blanice River, Prachatice district, between the former settlements of Krejčovice and Zvěřenice, near Volary.

How do you access the trail along the canyon? The Naučná stezka Na Soutoku nature trail begins at the bridge over the Blanice between Záblatí and Řepešín.

What wildlife can be found here? The area was a refuge for species such as the Eurasian otter, common kingfisher, and freshwater pearl mussel, all requiring clean, naturally flowing water.