Zhůřská hnízdiště

Zhůřská hnízdiště is a nature reserve in the Bohemian Forest (Šumava) in the Czech Republic, protecting mountain meadows and pastures near the site of the vanished village of Zhůří in the Klatovy district. The reserve lies close to the Hadí vrch hill (1,022 m), roughly nine kilometers south of the town of Čachrov, and falls under the administration of Šumava National Park.

Why was this area given protected status?

The reserve was established to preserve extensive mountain pastures and to secure suitable conditions for birds that nest and feed in open grassland habitats. Its Czech name, which translates as "nesting grounds," points directly to this purpose: the site functions as a refuge for species that depend on large, only lightly altered stretches of grassland interspersed with wetland patches and scattered old trees.

What does the landscape of Zhůřská hnízdiště look like?

The reserve is defined by mountain meadows dotted with boggy patches and solitary, ancient trees standing alone amid the grass. This layout is not accidental — it is a remnant of the intensive agricultural use the land once received from residents of the surrounding settlements. After people were forced to leave, the landscape began to change, yet it still bears the marks of former farming: open grassy stretches, partly waterlogged, framed by individual trees that survived as relics of old field boundaries and pastures.

Why did the village of Zhůří disappear?

The story of this place is closely tied to the fate of the nearby village of Zhůří, which was abandoned and eventually vanished altogether. The whole area became part of the former Dobrá Voda military training ground, set up in the postwar years along the Šumava border zone. The resettlement of local inhabitants and the long operation of the military range meant that the agricultural landscape stopped being farmed in the traditional way — which, somewhat paradoxically, helped preserve its open, meadow character until it was placed under nature protection.

What else is worth knowing about the surrounding area?

Zhůřská hnízdiště lies at the heart of Šumava, a region known for its extensive forests, peat bogs, and former settlements along the Czech-German border that no longer exist. The proximity of Hadí vrch makes the reserve a useful landmark for hikers exploring the surrounding trails of Šumava National Park. Because of its status as a nature reserve, the usual restrictions for protected areas apply: visits should stay on marked paths so as not to disturb nesting birds, especially during the breeding season.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Zhůřská hnízdiště located? In the Klatovy district in the Šumava mountains, near the Hadí vrch hill, about nine kilometers south of Čachrov, on the site of the former village of Zhůří.

What kind of protected area is this? It is a nature reserve managed by the Šumava National Park administration, created to protect mountain meadows and bird nesting and feeding grounds.

Why is the landscape so open and meadow-like? Because the area was once intensively farmed and later became part of the Dobrá Voda military training ground — both factors kept it free of forest and preserved its pasture character.

Can visitors explore the reserve? Yes, but as with any nature reserve, it is best to stick to marked paths and take extra care during the bird breeding season.