The ‘nelesní krajina’ nature trail in the Šumava meadows above Kvilda: 4 km to 6 km

• Kvilda is the highest situated village in the country at 1065m and is also known as one of the coldest places, with temperatures dropping in winter as low as -40C. Kvilda is a popular destination both for winter sports and summer hiking, with probably the most well-known destination being the source of the river Vltava on the slopes of Černa hora (1316m). The first historical records of Kvilda date from the 16th century, when woodcutters permanently settled in the area, but it is likely that gold prospectors were the first settlors, at least several centuries earlier.
• Several longer hikes in the Šumava hills can be started in Kvilda, but there are also various good short walks available in the area, some of which are marked as nature trails. The interesting ‘nelesní krajina’ nature trail starts in the center of Kvilda at its iconic neo-Gothic church and explores the lower hills to the east of the village. The trail is designed to illustrate how the open pastures above the village were historically created, primarily during the glassmaking periods in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• The route essentially has two loops – the shorter one to the south of the village around the historical forge area of Hraběcí Huť and the longer one (around 4 km in length) in the hills and meadows to the east. This second loop offers some nice views. The full route is exactly 6 km in length, with around 150m of height to ascend-descend. The paths are not steep but are not suitable for strollers. They can be wet and muddy at times.
• Kvilda has many refreshment options, including some new cafés and traditional inns (eg the popular Šumava Inn). However, an alternative choice is the microbrewery and bakery Pekárna Kvilda, which produces excellent beer and serves classic Czech pub food.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Start the walk at the center of the village opposite the church and head south along the main street initially following the YELLOW trail in the direction of Lipka
• If following the full loop, after 300m join the BLUE trail for a section (if only following the second loop continue on the YELLOW trail for 900m and then follow the nature green/white diagonal stripe trail markers for the rest of the route)
• After 400m reach the Kvilda – Hraběcí Huť junction and here leave the BLUE trail to follow the nature trail markers (green/white diagonal stripe markers and occasional wooden signposts) for the remainder of the trail
• The trail runs anticlockwise and reenters Kvilda from the north side along the public road (passing the brewery on the right side, before returning back to the village church