Pohořské rašeliniště

Pohořské rašeliniště is a peatland nature reserve in the Novohradské hory mountains, in the Český Krumlov district of southern Czechia. The protected area sits along a left tributary of the Pohořský stream, roughly 1.5 km northwest of the village of Pohoří na Šumavě and about 7 km southeast of Pohorská Ves, the settlement that gives the site its name. The reserve covers just under 40 hectares and ranks among the more valuable pockets of nature in this part of the Novohradské hory range.

What exactly does the reserve protect?

The protection target is a complex of natural, waterlogged and peat-forming spruce forests together with a raised bog and peatland meadows found in the higher parts of the terrain. This combination of habitats gives the site real value for conserving characteristic peatland flora — plant species adapted to permanently wet, acidic ground of the kind that forms on raised bogs. Equally important is the invertebrate fauna, specialized for the conditions found in bogs and waterlogged spruce forests, where high humidity and a distinctive plant composition create ecological niches unavailable to many other species.

How does the reserve fit into the wider conservation network?

Pohořské rašeliniště is not an isolated dot on the map. It forms part of the larger Pohoří na Šumavě site of European importance under the Natura 2000 network, and it also lies within a bird area protecting populations tied to this type of landscape. On top of that, the whole territory falls within the Novohradské hory nature park, meaning the reserve's local protection works together with broader regional land-use rules meant to limit development and intensive forestry pressure around valuable habitats.

What does the peatland landscape look like?

The core of the area is a transitional-to-raised bog surrounded by waterlogged spruce forest — tree stands growing on ground saturated with water for nearly the entire year. Higher up, where the terrain allows slightly better ground conditions, peatland meadows appear with their characteristic herbaceous vegetation. This arrangement — forest in the valley, meadows above — is typical of mountain peatlands in the Novohradské hory and produces a mosaic of habitats packed into a relatively small area.

Can visitors explore the reserve?

The site is open to the public only along designated forest paths. This kind of access regime is standard for raised bogs, where stepping off the marked route can irreversibly damage the surface peat layer and the vegetation growing on it — damage that takes decades to recover. Visitors should therefore treat the reserve as a place for a quiet walk and nature observation rather than a terrain for free exploration off the trail.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Pohořské rašeliniště located? In the Novohradské hory mountains, Český Krumlov district, along a left tributary of the Pohořský stream, near Pohoří na Šumavě.

How large is the protected area? The reserve covers about 39 hectares.

What is specifically protected here? Natural waterlogged and peat-forming spruce forests, a raised bog, and peatland meadows, along with their characteristic flora and invertebrate fauna.

Is the site part of any other conservation designations? Yes — it lies within the Pohoří na Šumavě site of European importance, a Natura 2000 bird area, and the Novohradské hory nature park.

Can visitors move around freely? No — access is restricted to designated forest paths, since the peatland is highly sensitive to mechanical damage.