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Jezerní slat - the frosty heart of Šumava
Jezerní Slat, also known as Kvildská Slat, is one of the most important upland peat bogs in the Czech Republic. It lies in the heart of the Šumava, between the villages of Kvilda and Horská Kvilda, at an altitude of 1058-1075 m. This 103.5 hectare nature reserve is the fourth largest bog in the region and one of the coldest places in the country - in January 1987, a record temperature of -41.6 °C was measured here. The climate here is extreme: the average annual temperature is just 2 °C and in winter temperatures routinely fall well below freezing.
A natural gem with unspoilt wilderness
Jezerní slať is a prime example of an upland peat bog with a typical kneeling form of the bog pine and unique peat flora. The average peat thickness is 2.5 m, but in its north-western, undisturbed part it reaches up to 7.6 m. Its formation was conditioned by a cool and humid climate, which is ideal for the growth of bryophytes and other cold-loving plants.
Typical plant species here include dwarf birch, dwarf birch and round-leaved sundew. The fauna is equally remarkable - you can encounter the common viper, the hedge lizard, the mountain stingray, the mountain mouse, the common grouse or the lynx. Birds and insects are also very abundant.
Observation tower and nature trail
There is a 350-metre long nature trail leading along a wooden boardwalk. The trail starts at the parking lot on the road between Kvilda and Horská Kvilda and is intended exclusively for pedestrians - cyclists are not allowed. At the entrance to the reserve there is a seven-metre high wooden lookout tower with two platforms, the higher one (accessible by 21 steps) offering a panoramic view not only of the peat bog but also of the surrounding forests and the Sokol hill (1253 m). The viewpoint is freely accessible all year round, but the peat bog itself is usually closed during the winter months to protect wintering animals.
Meteorological rarity
Near Jezerní slati there is the well-known meteorological station Perla, located in the so-called frost basin. It was here that not only the lowest temperature in the Czech Republic was recorded, but also a curious day when the temperature fluctuated from -0.1 °C in the morning to a tropical 30.2 °C in the afternoon. The station is located in Zone 1 of Šumava National Park and is therefore not open to the public, but its measurements play an important role in monitoring the extreme climatic conditions of the region.
Plan your trip
🗺️ How to get there?
Park on the road between Kvilda and Horská Kvilda - right at the beginning of the nature trail. Sturdy shoes are recommended, especially after rain.
📸 Ideal for photographers, nature lovers and those looking for a quiet place with a unique atmosphere.
You can also walk directly from our guesthouse.
