A wild upland peat bog sitting at 876 m above sea level in the Ore Mountains, right on the border with Germany - this is a place where nature reserve status truly means something. Expect silence, untouched moorland, and a landscape unlike anywhere else near Teplice.

The scenery is made up of open peat expanses, dwarf pines and boggy pools, framed by the surrounding forests of the Krušné hory. In summer the reserve bursts into colour with the purple flowers of the heath spotted-orchid, while autumn brings the deep red berries of cranberry. Winter transforms the bog into a hushed, almost arctic scene - though the ground stays wet and uneven, so sturdy footwear is essential year-round. Just across the border lies the twin Georgenfelder Hochmoor bog, making this reserve part of a larger cross-border wetland ecosystem.

How to get there

• Košťany - trail heading north from town, moderate difficulty, terrain can be boggy in places
• Cross-border connections possible via trails near Cínovec on the German side

Practical information

• Protected area - stay on the marked trail, as the reserve is home to sensitive and endangered species
• Watch for common European adders and viviparous lizards - keep a respectful distance from wildlife
• The bog is a fragile ecosystem, considered one of the endangered habitats of the Ore Mountains

This is one of the few places in the Czech Republic where you might spot wild rosemary (Rhododendron tomentosum), a rare relic plant with a strong, unmistakable scent that hints at the bog's ancient, much colder origins.