Račínská prameniště

Račínská prameniště is a protected nature monument in the Šumava mountains, located in the Český Krumlov district about 1.5 kilometers east of the settlement of Přední Zvonková. The site falls within the Šumava Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Šumava), close to the Račín inlet of the Lipno reservoir, and covers roughly 117 hectares.

What makes this site protected?

The area protects the spring zones of two streams, where small peat bogs have formed alongside grassland and meadow plant communities of significant ecological value. Originally wet meadows, the land has been left largely undisturbed by human activity for the past sixty years, allowing natural succession to take its course. This makes Račínská prameniště a valuable reference site for observing how wetland plant communities evolve over time when left to develop on their own.

Much of the territory is now covered by young tree growth, but in the spots where peat has formed around the springs, remnants of the original meadow communities survive. These pockets support species typical of wetland habitats, including the broad-leaved marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis), stalked hawkweed (Willemetia stipitata), marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris), and the greater butterfly orchid (Platanthera chlorantha).

Why visit Račínská prameniště?

The reserve appeals mainly to nature lovers, botanists, and anyone interested in observing long-term ecological processes in the field. There is no elaborate tourist infrastructure here — the appeal lies in the untouched character of the landscape and the diversity of vegetation that has developed thanks to decades of minimal human interference. Its proximity to the Lipno reservoir means the area is often included in longer hikes through the Šumava region, combining several protected sites along the way.

Given its conservation status, visitors should stick to marked paths and take care not to disturb the vegetation, especially during the flowering season of the rare orchid species found here.

How to get to Račínská prameniště

The nearest reference point is the settlement of Přední Zvonková, from which the protected area lies about 1.5 kilometers to the east. The site sits close to the Račín inlet of Lake Lipno, making it easy to combine a lakeside walk with a visit to the nature reserve.

Frequently asked questions

What is Račínská prameniště? It is a nature monument in the Šumava mountains protecting spring areas with peat bogs and meadow communities that have developed through decades of natural succession.

How large is the protected area? It covers approximately 117 hectares.

What plant species can be found here? Notable species include the broad-leaved marsh orchid, stalked hawkweed, marsh cinquefoil, and the greater butterfly orchid — all typical of wet meadows and peat bogs.

Where exactly is the reserve located? In the Šumava mountains, Český Krumlov district, about 1.5 km east of the settlement of Přední Zvonková, near the Račín inlet of the Lipno reservoir, within the Šumava Protected Landscape Area.