Außergefild between raised bog, deer trail and culture

Außergefild combines nature observation, trails through the Šumava landscape and regional culture. Between the Kvilda Visitor Centre, the Jezerní slať raised bog, the surrounding mountains and the museums, there are various opportunities for an eventful stay.

Deer Centre and Jelení stezka

At the Kvilda Visitor Centre, exhibitions show the life of the European red deer and other deer species in the Šumava region. Outside, the Jelení stezka complements the offering as a 2.6 km circular trail. It runs partly through the deer enclosure and has three observation towers.

The short circular route thus combines an exhibition, a trail and observation points. Its length makes it easy to plan an outing, while the towers provide designated locations for observing the animals. The section through the deer enclosure complements the three towers with a stretch of trail; in this way, animal observation is spread across several locations along the circular route. Visitors can take in the animals while walking and pause at the towers for more focused observation. At 2.6 kilometres, the circular route remains clearly manageable as a short route in its own right.

Jezerní slať raised bog

Jezerní slať is a raised bog on the high plateau of the Šumava plains. A wooden boardwalk leads into its centre. Information panels explain how the raised bog formed and, in part, describe its present-day flora and fauna. The boardwalk therefore forms a clearly defined destination section within the raised bog. The information panels give the visit a natural-history focus that goes beyond simply following the route. Depending on your interests, you can focus your stay more on the landscape form, its formation or the present-day flora and fauna covered in part.

Jezerní slať is three kilometres from Kvilda. The circular route leads from Kvilda to the bog via a new cycle path for tourists; you reach the centre of the bog via the wooden boardwalk. This allows you to view the visit to the raised bog as a walk or as part of a cycling tour. The boardwalk provides the route with a clear destination, while the high plateau forms the landscape setting.

Mountains and plants along the way

The mountains Vysoký stolec, Holý vrch, Sokol (Antýgl) and Stráž are located in the vicinity of Kvilda. Along the Bezlesí educational trail, diverse and often rare plants grow where small fields and meadows once lay. The landscape therefore shows not only the raised bog and mountain names, but also the transformation of former cultivated areas. Those who enjoy exploring on foot will find nature observation and landscape history combined in a single outing.

Church and glass art

In Kvilda, culture complements the nature experiences. Construction of the new stone Church of St Stephen began in 1892; it was consecrated in 1894. The church is a protected cultural monument. The Museum of Hinterglasmalerei in Kvilda is a stop on the Cesta podmaleb. The “Frauenau, Glasmuseum” museum is also located in the wider regional area around Kvilda.

This allows you to combine the circular route, bog and mountain landscape with architectural history and glass art. When choosing your accommodation, you can use this desired mix of travel experiences as a guide: Kvilda is suitable as a base for the local cultural attractions and the route to Jezerní slať, while the surrounding area opens up further landscape themes.

For further comparison, you can also find Hradiště, Kubova Huť, Žernovice, Krtely, Budkov, Kratušín, Trhonin and Ckyne.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Prachatice.