Milešický prales

Milešický prales Nature Reserve protects a small but exceptionally valuable stretch of old-growth mountain forest, tucked away on the northeastern slope of a ridge between the peaks of Boubín and Bobík in the Prachatice district, just 2.5 km from the far better-known Boubínský prales. The reserve lies within the Šumava Protected Landscape Area and National Park, and is managed by that park's administration.

Where exactly is it located?

Milešický prales sits at the heart of the Šumava range, an area famous for preserving fragments of centuries-old forest that were never commercially logged. Its coordinates are approximately 48.98°N, 13.84°E. The reserve can be reached on foot via a red-marked trail from Vimperk (about 15 km) or from Volary (about 12 km), or via a blue-marked trail from Kubova Huť (about 7 km), which connects to the red route.

What is the history of its protection?

The area was first declared a protected reserve in 1948, but that protection was lifted in 1965. It was only in 1989 that the site regained its status as a nature reserve, this time permanently. This gap in legal protection meant part of the forest changed before safeguards were reinstated — yet the surviving stands today remain among the most valuable in the entire Šumava region.

What exactly does the reserve protect?

The reserve protects an original, mixed mountain forest belonging to the acidic mountain beech forest type, enriched with silver fir (Abies alba) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus). The stand is a genuine remnant of natural forest, with trees estimated at 250 to 300 years old — meaning these are trees that were never felled and have grown under near-natural conditions for centuries. Forest stands of this age and integrity are increasingly rare across Central Europe, which gives Milešický prales considerable ecological and scientific significance.

How large is the reserve, and how has its area changed?

The protected area currently covers 9.63 hectares. It's worth noting, though, that the reserve originally spanned a much larger territory of around 19 hectares. Over time — including during the period when legal protection was suspended — the area shrank by nearly half, down to just under 10 hectares. This contraction illustrates how important continuous legal protection is for preserving remnants of old-growth forest.

How does it compare to the nearby Boubínský prales?

Although the two reserves lie close together and protect a similar type of mountain forest, Milešický prales is considerably smaller and far less known to visitors than its famous neighbor. For travelers who prefer quiet, less-trodden trails and natural forest away from crowds, it offers an appealing alternative — a chance to experience a similar primeval Šumava atmosphere in a more intimate setting.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Milešický prales? On foot is the most practical option — via the red-marked trail from Vimperk (about 15 km) or from Volary (about 12 km), or via the blue-marked trail from Kubova Huť (about 7 km), which links up with the red route.

How old are the trees in the reserve? The forest stand is a remnant of original forest estimated to be 250 to 300 years old.

How big is the reserve? It currently covers 9.63 hectares, though it originally spanned around 19 hectares.

Has the area always been protected? No — protection was first established in 1948, lifted in 1965, and reinstated permanently in 1989.

Which tree species dominate the forest? The forest is dominated by beech, together with silver fir and sycamore maple, typical of Šumava's mountain beech-fir forests.