Pastviště u Fínů

Pastviště u Fínů is a small but ecologically remarkable nature reserve in the Czech Republic, lying south of the town of Sušice in the Klatovy district. It sits roughly one kilometre north of the village of Albrechtice, at a spot where steep slopes descend toward the Podmokelský stream. It is precisely this terrain — warm, sun-exposed terraces above a watercourse — that has allowed a highly unusual grassland community to develop here, one rarely seen elsewhere in the country.

What can you find here?

The reserve protects xerothermic (dry, warmth-loving) grassland growing on the steep terraces above the stream. This is the habitat of the German gentian (Gentianella germanica), a species classified as critically endangered in the Czech Republic. Pastviště u Fínů is one of only two known sites where this plant still grows in the entire country, which alone makes the reserve a place of real conservation significance. Alongside it grows the autumn gentian (Gentianella amarella), and in total researchers have recorded 261 species of vascular plants and 75 animal species within the reserve's boundaries.

The site is looked after by the nature conservation authorities responsible for this part of the Czech Republic, whose task is to preserve the delicate balance that allows these rare species to survive. Grasslands of this type are highly sensitive to changes in land use — both overgrazing and the complete abandonment of grazing can be harmful, since the latter allows shrubs to encroach and the open habitat to disappear.

Why is it worth a visit?

For botany enthusiasts and nature photographers, Pastviště u Fínů is a distinctive stop — a modest-looking hillside that conceals a diversity rarely found in better-known, more heavily visited reserves. Walking through the grassland reveals subtle differences in vegetation depending on the slope and sun exposure of each section of the terrain. It also makes a worthwhile addition to a trip around Sušice for travellers looking for genuine contact with nature away from the main tourist trails.

The reserve's name itself invites curiosity, hinting at a connection to Finland, yet it remains largely absent from popular guidebooks — which only adds to the appeal for visitors who enjoy seeking out lesser-known destinations rather than following the crowds.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Pastviště u Fínů reserve protect? It protects xerothermic grassland on steep terraces above the Podmokelský stream, including a site of the critically endangered German gentian — one of only two known in the Czech Republic.

Where exactly is it located? The reserve lies south of Sušice in the Klatovy district, about one kilometre north of Albrechtice.

How many plant and animal species have been recorded there? Surveys have documented 261 species of vascular plants and 75 animal species within the reserve.

Is it a large area? No — it is a small, intimate reserve whose value lies in the rarity and quality of its species rather than in its size.

Who is this destination for? Mainly for those interested in botany and nature conservation, or anyone seeking a quiet walk away from busy tourist routes.