An easy circuit in the hills above Borová Lada, including a visit to Chalupská slať: 14 km

• Upland peat bogs and lakes were formed at the end of the last Ice Age and are some of the most interesting nature sights in the country. They are also home to many rare plants. Chalupská slať is the largest peat lake in Bohemia and there is a short (500m) nature trail along a wooden walkway leading to the lake. There are also signs with the names of the characteristic peat bog plants. There is a nicely done information center close to the start of the trail.
• For those just wanting a quick visit to the nature trail, there is a car park and bus stop close to the beginning of the trail. However, for a longer walk in easy but attractive terrain, it is worth taking the following 14 km circuit, starting and finishing in Borová Lada, which is one of the more attractive Šumava resort towns.
• The suggested route first visits the peat bog trail and then follows a cycle track to the outskirts of Nové Hutě village. The route then circles back to the starting point following footpaths in the pleasant forests and lower hills to the north and east of Borová Lada. At one point (map point 8) there is a notable view towards the Austrian Alps. Note that the Alps can be seen only on days where there is excellent visibility.
• The paths are all easy and the slopes gentle. There is 220m of height to ascend/descend. There are no refreshment stops directly on the route, but Borová Lada has a couple of good restaurants and an excellent café and snack bar called Madam Čokoláda, just opposite the car park (map point 9). This is definitely worth a visit.

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Directions

• Start the walk in the centre of Borová Lada (which is on bus routes from Vimperk and Tábor). There is a large paid car park on the edge of the village. Note that there is also a small (free) car park at the mid point on the circuit (map point 5)
• Join the GREEN trail heading in the direction of Nové Hutě. The trail initially follows the public road and then branches off to follow a cycle track
• The entrance to the Chalupská slať nature trail is reached after 1 km (Svinná Lada junction). The wooden walkway leads to the lake after 450m
• From Svinná Lada, after visiting the lake, continue on the GREEN trail towards Nové Hutě, reaching the Pod Zvěřínem junction after 3.4 km
• At Pod Zvěřínem, turn right onto the YELLOW trail heading towards Šindlov
• Staz on the YELLOW trail for 3.1 km until reaching the Pod Kamennou junction. Here, turn right onto the RED trail which leads to the Pod Bukovcem junction after 2 km
• At Pod Bukovcem turn right to follow the red trainle diversion signs to the viewpoint Alpská vyhlídka, reached in 400m
• From the viewpoint, take the unmarked trail straight downhill on the most direct route to reach the public road 200m across the field
• On reaching the public road, turn right onto the GREEN trail, which leads directly back to Borová Lada after 3.1 km