Hidden in the forests south of Šluknov lies a place where miners spent five centuries digging for silver, copper and nickel. The former Schweidrich Mine is now one of the stops along the Kunratice educational trail, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region's mining past.

The mine site consists of connected adits and shafts stretching on both sides of the road between Šluknov and Staré Křečany. Walking through the quiet forest, you can spot traces of old mining activity - collapsed shafts, spoil heaps and locked gates at the entrances of the adits. In summer the woods are lush and shaded, in autumn the colours add a touch of mystery, and in winter it's worth remembering that this is one of the most important bat hibernation sites in northern Bohemia, so the underground passages remain closed to visitors. The atmosphere combines the calm of a forest walk with the curiosity of discovering centuries-old human work.

How to get there

• Šluknov - Kunratice educational trail, about 2.2 km south, easy route, roughly 30-40 minutes on foot
• Also accessible from the road connecting Šluknov and Staré Křečany, where the deposit lies on both sides

Practical information

• Adit entrances secured with locked grates - the interior cannot be visited
• Hibernation site for six bat species, including the greater mouse-eared bat and Natterer's bat
• The educational trail was opened in 2011 by the Secondary Forestry School in Šluknov

Interesting fact - the underground galleries have yielded a striking variety of minerals, from pyrite to malachite and azurite, making it a small paradise for mineral enthusiasts.