Olšov

Olšov is a small but ecologically valuable nature reserve located right next to the village of Černá v Pošumaví, in the Český Krumlov district of the South Bohemian Region. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 724–725 metres above sea level, the reserve covers just under 51 hectares, making it one of the more modest, low-key protected sites in the wider Šumava region.

What is the Olšov reserve?

The reserve protects wetland terrain — marshland and periodically flooded areas — that together create a distinctive habitat for a range of plant and animal species tied to damp environments. These wetlands and the biological communities they support are the main reason the area was placed under protection. Several of the species found here enjoy special legal protection, underlining the ecological value of the site despite its modest size.

When was it established, and who manages it?

Formal protection of the Olšov area was granted on 18 December 2009. The reserve is administered by the Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape Area Administration, the same body responsible for managing the much larger Šumava region surrounding it. It is classified under IUCN Category IV, meaning it is managed primarily to conserve specific species and their habitats rather than as a strictly untouched wilderness area.

Where exactly is Olšov located?

The reserve lies within the cadastral territory of Černá v Pošumaví, a municipality best known as a popular holiday destination on the shores of Lake Lipno. Notably, four separate nature reserves fall within this municipality's territory — alongside Olšov, these are Pláničský rybník, Kyselovský les, and Rašeliniště Borková. This concentration of protected wetland and forest areas reflects the considerable natural diversity of the surrounding landscape, situated on the foothills of the Šumava mountains near the Lipno reservoir.

Why does this place matter?

Olšov is not a reserve built for mass tourism — visitors won't find extensive visitor infrastructure or marked educational trails comparable to larger national parks here. Its significance lies elsewhere: it forms an important piece of the broader conservation network around Lipno and Šumava. For anyone interested in nature, particularly wetland ecosystems, Olšov illustrates how small, local reserves complement larger protected areas, helping form ecological corridors for species dependent on water and moist habitats.

Frequently asked questions

How large is the Olšov reserve? It covers approximately 50.75 hectares.

When was the area granted protected status? On 18 December 2009.

What does the reserve protect? Wetland terrain — marshland and periodically flooded areas — along with the plant and animal communities dependent on them, including specially protected species.

Where exactly is it located? Next to the municipality of Černá v Pošumaví, in the Český Krumlov district, South Bohemian Region, at an elevation of about 724–725 metres above sea level.

Who manages the reserve? The Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape Area Administration.