Discover Autumn Adventures: Explore the Nature Trail at Soumar Bridge
In the mid-1800s, peat was extracted from the Soumar peat bog using a method called borking. This method was phased out by the 1960s in favor of industrial mining, which led to the area being systematically drained, and mining activities stopped in 2000. Before the mining finished, the administration of Šumava National Park collaborated with the Rašelina Soběslav s.r.o. company to decide that the Soumarský peat bog would undergo a revitalization project instead of the usual rehabilitation process. Rather than flattening the land and planting trees, they dug shallow pools to collect rainwater and created barriers in drainage ditches. This approach allowed water to return to the former peatland, leading to a surprisingly quick return of the plant species that had once thrived there.
To make sure visitors can access the area safely, the Šumava National Park management constructed a 1.5 km long walkway, with ⅓ of it made from wooden planks. This path runs from the boating camp through the heart of the Soumarské bogs, which can get quite waterlogged during the autumn season. Much of the trail also traverses forested areas, so wearing proper footwear is advised. This trail is specifically designed for hikers only, as strollers will find it difficult to navigate. A memorable part of visiting the Soumar peat bog was the wooden lookout tower, but it deteriorated to the point where it had to be completely closed in 2025, prompting the National Park Service to plan for a new tower. However, the timeline for this new construction is still unknown.
Close to Stožce, the site is also a short distance from the Soumarský Most train stop (on the Volary – Vimperk route). A lovely walk of about 7 km can be started from the Black Cross station, where you can catch a train to either Volary or Nový Údolí.
