Mezihorská between the Chapel, Stream and Peatland Forests

Between the Chapel, Stream and Peatland Forests

Mezihorská combines historical traces with a landscape in which the Chodovský potok and former peat bogs play a special role. Those who choose the village as a destination for their stay can explore its cultural history, a short nature trail and striking landscape features. Mezihorská does not feel like a place whose history is contained in just one historic monument: its development stretches from a medieval village to the recreational destination it is today.

A Place with a Long History

Mezihorská was established at the end of the 14th century. In 1525, the village was listed in the Loket Schlik urbarium among the villages that owed feudal obligations to Loket Castle. The settlement later changed fundamentally. After the gradual decline and eventual complete departure of the permanent population, Mezihorská was transformed into a recreational destination.

A visible focal point of the village’s history is the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes. It was restored in 2000–2001 and reconsecrated on 27 October 2001. Its location opposite a former prayer bell is also recorded to help visitors find their way around the area. The chapel therefore provides a tangible starting point if you would like to explore Mezihorská’s religious and historical traces.

Chodovský potok and the Landscape of the Former Peat Bogs

The Chodovský potok shapes the natural area around Mezihorská. The section managed by Lesy ČR, s.p. extends from the road bridge in the settlement of Mezihorská to the source south of the municipality of Jindřichovice in the Ore Mountains. A section just under three kilometres long was revitalised to protect valuable natural peat bogs.

Almost the entire revitalised section runs through areas of former peat bogs. Today, these areas contain waterlogged spruce and alder forests with admixtures of larch and fir, as well as deciduous trees such as birch, lime, oak, beech and sycamore. The cadastral area of Mezihorská also presents a varied section of this landscape: in the valley of the Chodovský potok, a water surface, woodland, scattered greenery and permanent grassland form a mosaic of different habitats.

One of the notable natural features is Klen v Mezihorské, a protected sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) on the southern edge of the settlement. The tree stands where a meadow path forks and was first placed under protection on 13 October 2004.

A Short Trail with Several Stops

The Chodovský potok Trail is an 813 m-long path created in 2015. Its surface alternates between wooden boardwalks, gravel and a forest path. Halfway along the trail, there is a rest area at a bridge over the Chodovský potok. Visitors arriving by car can use a small car park at the bus stop in the forests of Mezihorská.

On the northern edge of Mezihorská, the former Potoční mlýn (Stream Mill) lies on the Chodovský potok. Another historical trace leads to Loch Mill. It was originally used to grind bark into tannins for leather tanning and was later converted into a grain mill. As early as 1654, a mill with a saw was mentioned in Mezihorská (Kührberg); however, it is uncertain whether this referred to Potoční mlýn or to Loch Mill farther downstream.

For further regional orientation, see also Háj U Jindrichovic.

For the broader travel overview: Heinrichsgrün.