Soběšice – Forest, Trails and the Rabí Castle Ruins

Soběšice lies in the southwest of the Czech Republic, in the foothills of the Šumava Mountains, at an elevation of 652 metres. Gentle hills meet deep forests around the village. In summer and autumn, mushrooms, blueberries, blackberries and other wild fruits can be found there. Anyone looking for a landscape with short nature experiences and longer excursions for a family holiday will find a place here with several different facets.

Nature Trail through Soběšický háj

The most distinctive experience in the area is the nearly three-kilometre-long “Vycházka hajného Nasse Soběšickým hájem” nature trail. It runs through the forest of Soběšický háj and is an easy route suitable for families with children. Four information panels explain the lives of forestry workers, local stone masonry and granite quarrying. The trail thus combines the forest landscape with specific insights into earlier working and craft traditions.

The Emil-Anton-Lamberk monument is also part of the nature trail. Those who see the route not just as a walk but also as a small discovery tour will find several topics along its manageable length: forest management, rock, crafts and the history of the village. About one kilometre before Soběšice, the Lamberská stezka leads to this nearly three-kilometre-long Nasse nature trail through Soběšický háj.

Hiking and Cycling around Soběšice

The Lamberská stezka also offers a broader perspective. The Czech section in Pošumaví is an almost 50-kilometre circular route that can be completed in stages or only in part. This allows the stay to be arranged in different ways: the Nasse nature trail represents a short hike with a clear theme, while the longer circular route provides room for more extensive day trips.

For cyclists, cycling route 121 runs directly through Soběšice. It connects Žichovice, Soběšice and Volyně, making the village interesting for planning a cycling tour as well. The combination of forests, gentle hills and the route passing through the village appeals to different types of outings, without limiting Soběšice to just one activity.

Getting Started

The starting point of the Nasse nature trail is about 300 metres from the Strašín, Lhota, rozc. 1.0 bus stop, served by line 977. Coming from Strašín, turn towards Parýzek about one kilometre before Soběšice, then after approximately 100 metres turn right onto a meadow where parking is possible.

Hořice Hill and Historical Traces

The now-forested Hořice Hill rises above Soběšice. Its reforestation began around 1890 under the teacher Šafařík and was continued by subsequent generations. A quarry and a temporary kiln were historically built on the northern edge of the hill. The local limestone was burned there to produce lime. Anyone interested in the formation of the landscape and the use of its raw materials will therefore encounter not only nature around Soběšice, but also an illustrative local history.

The Rabí Castle is also located in the vicinity of Soběšice, 14 kilometres away. It is considered the most extensive castle ruin in the Czech Republic and complements the forest and hiking themes with a distinctive cultural and historical destination.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to discover more destinations in this selection, you can also find Myslovice, Strašín, Branickov, Bolešiny, Chanovice, Annín, Hojsova Stráž and Nehodiv here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Klatovy District.