Vlčí kámen

Vlčí kámen (Wolf Stone) is a modest memorial in the Šumava mountains marking the spot where the last wolf in this part of the Czech Republic was shot. The stone stands away from the main tourist routes, between the villages of Borová Lada and Kubová Huť, in the cadastral territory of Černá Lada, south of Světlá hora, deep in the southern Bohemian Forest.

What does the memorial commemorate?

The inscription on the stone refers to an event dated 2 December 1874, when the last wolf in the Šumava region was shot on this spot. The animal was killed by Jan Štěrbík (1830–1895), a builder in the service of the local ducal estate, based in Vimperk. The wolf's body was preserved and added to the hunting collection at Ohrada, a game-keeping collection known for documenting the hunting history of this part of the Czech forests. The episode is recorded in the book Dějiny lovu a lovenství (History of Hunting) by Jan Ev. Chadt.

What does the stone look like?

Vlčí kámen has a plain, unadorned form resembling an ordinary boundary marker. The only feature carved into its surface is the date of the event — there is no additional ornamentation or sculptural detail. This restrained form sets it apart from grander historical monuments found elsewhere in the region and underlines its character as a quiet, field-marker style memorial rather than a showpiece.

Where exactly is it, and how do you get there?

The stone sits at coordinates 48°59'49" N, 13°43'8" E, in the countryside between Borová Lada and Kubová Huť. No dedicated "wolf trail" leads to it — the site lies somewhat off the beaten path of the area's main foot traffic. Visitors reach it via a side turn off the red-marked trail: roughly 6.5 km from Kubová Huť, or about 6 km along the green/red trail from Borová Lada. Getting there therefore takes a fairly long walk and suits visitors interested in local history more than those looking for a quick roadside stop.

Why does this place matter historically?

Vlčí kámen is a physical trace of the disappearance of wolves from the Šumava region during the 19th century. The 1874 shooting is regarded as the point at which the species vanished from this part of the Czech lands for decades — only in recent years have wolves begun reappearing in Šumava and the surrounding cross-border forests of Central Europe. Small and artistically unpretentious as it is, the stone functions as a physical anchor for that story, a spot where visitors can stand in the exact place tied to the region's vanished wildlife.

What should you know before visiting?

Vlčí kámen appeals to travelers seeking lesser-known, outdoor memorial sites in Šumava rather than a classic viewpoint or architectural landmark. Because of its distance from the main routes, it's worth planning for a longer walk and checking the current state of the red and green trail markers leading out of Borová Lada or Kubová Huť. The surrounding countryside near Borová Lada is typical Šumava terrain — broad forests and meadows on a high plateau — which adds its own appeal to the approach walk toward the stone.

Frequently asked questions

What is Vlčí kámen? A modest boundary-stone-style memorial marking the spot where the last wolf in Šumava was shot on 2 December 1874.

Where is Vlčí kámen located? Between the villages of Borová Lada and Kubová Huť, in the cadastral territory of Černá Lada in Šumava, southern Czech Republic.

Who shot the last wolf in Šumava? Jan Štěrbík (1830–1895), a builder working for the local ducal estate based in Vimperk.

Is there a marked trail leading directly to the stone? There's no dedicated wolf trail — visitors take a side turn off the red trail, about 6.5 km from Kubová Huť or about 6 km (green/red trail) from Borová Lada.

What happened to the wolf that was shot? It was preserved and added to the hunting collection at Ohrada.