Natural Monument Mařský vrch

Mařský vrch is a compact but rewarding natural monument near Budilov, in the Prachatice district of South Bohemia, Czech Republic. Once known as Liščí skála, this hill forms part of the Vimperská vrchovina range and protects one of the region's most striking Ice Age landscapes: a sprawling field of boulders left behind by ancient frost weathering.

Where is it located?

The hill sits roughly 1.25 kilometres east of the village of Štítkov, close to the hamlet of Budilov, part of the Bošice municipality in the South Bohemian Region. Its summit lies at coordinates 49.0728825 N, 13.8475983 E, within the quiet, sparsely populated foothills bordering the Šumava area.

How to get there?

A red-marked hiking trail links Mařský vrch to Budilov and continues toward the site of an ancient Celtic hillfort at Věnec. The walk up from Štítkov takes only about fifteen minutes, making the hill an easy stop on a longer half-day loop that combines several viewpoints and historic sites in the area. The nearest sizeable town is Vimperk, a short drive away.

What will you see?

The reason for the site's protection is a boulder field — a so-called "stone sea" — spreading across the hill's northern slope. It stretches about 150 metres in length and up to 40 metres in width, formed during the Pleistocene when a vein of syenite porphyry, embedded in the surrounding biotite paragneiss, fractured under repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The result is a dramatic jumble of large, sharp-edged rock blocks, now partly covered in moss and lichen, that gives the summit its rugged character.

Right beside the natural monument stands a freely accessible, roughly ten-metre-tall lookout tower, offering views over the wooded hills of the Vimperská vrchovina. Nearby also sits a small rotunda dedicated to Saint Wenceslas, built in 1935, reached by a Stations of the Cross path — a modest devotional site that adds a contemplative note to a visit otherwise focused on geology and views.

When to visit?

Spring through autumn is the best window for a visit, when the approach trails are dry and the outlook from the tower is at its clearest. In summer, an early morning or late afternoon visit helps avoid the midday heat on the short climb. Autumn brings out particularly vivid colours in the boulder field and surrounding forest, making it a rewarding time for nature photography.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mařský vrch? It is a natural monument on a hill near Budilov in the Prachatice district, protecting a boulder field of syenite porphyry created by Ice Age frost weathering.

What was the hill previously called? Before taking its current name, the hill was known as Liščí skála (Fox Rock).

What else is there to see besides the boulder field? Next to the natural monument stands a public lookout tower, as well as a 1935 rotunda of Saint Wenceslas reached via a Stations of the Cross path.

Is there a marked trail to the site? Yes, a red-marked hiking trail connects Mařský vrch with Budilov and continues toward the former Celtic hillfort at Věnec.