Polanka – Nature, Trails and Village History

Polánka between Forest, Wet Meadows and Village History

Polánka is situated on a hill in Kakov Forest. A large part of Polánka’s cadastral area belongs to the Plánický hřeben-Kákov Nature Park. Below Polánka, a small stream flows, which subsequently becomes part of the Myslivský potok, the source of the Úslava River. The forest setting, connection to waterways and protected landscapes combine to create a diverse character for the village. Its elevated location provides a clear landscape framework, while the stream connects it to the surrounding water system. If you would like to combine nature and cultural themes on your trip, Polánka offers several clearly distinct points of interest.

Protected Landscapes and Special Plants

The Polánecký mokřad Nature Reserve is located in the Polánka area. It contains peat-forming and wet meadows with several specially protected and rare plant species. Another natural attraction is the V Houlištích Natural Monument. Its protected features include a beech forest rich in flowers and an alder forest where wild garlic grows. Nature enthusiasts can therefore explore wet meadows and different forest habitats as clearly separate focal points. The two protected areas represent different types of landscape: in one, wet meadows define the character; in the other, the forest and the distinctive vegetation of the alder stand take centre stage. These specific differences help you plan your excursions around the nature experiences you are looking for.

Cycle Route and Educational Trail

Cycle Route 2162 runs from Myslív through Polánka along a Class III road and continues to Lovčice. This provides a clear route between these places for a cycling trip. The Stehlíkova naučná stezka educational trail is 12 kilometres long and suitable for walkers and cyclists. It starts and ends in the centre of Myslív, runs via Polánka towards Pohoří and is dedicated to the poet Ladislav Stehlík. The cycle route thus connects three places, while the educational trail has a fixed starting and ending point in Myslív. If you are looking for a cultural connection alongside physical activity, the trail’s dedication provides a distinct thematic focus.

Local History and Preserved Structures

The first written mention of Polánka dates from 1381 and appears in the first book of the court records. The village is divided into an upper and a lower section, located 300 metres apart. The 300 metres between the two sections give the settlement an additional, clearly defined spatial structure. Local history also includes the Polánecký válcový mlýn No. 19 roller mill, a local technical monument. The Polánka land-use plan preserves the settlement’s historic layout, the structure of the village squares and the adjoining original buildings. Together with the mill and the preserved layouts, these features create a historical focus alongside the natural attractions. When exploring the area, you can therefore take in not only nature trails but also the village’s established structure.

Discover More Places

For further orientation, you can also visit the pages on Klášter, Příchovice, Horšice, Štěnovice, Prádlo, Trebcice, Letiny and Předenice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Plzeň-Jih.