Prameniště is a nature reserve tucked into the Pancíř ridge in the Šumava mountains, a place where rivers are literally born. It's a spot for travelers who want to see the landscape at its most elemental - wetlands, peat bogs, and spring areas surrounded by quiet forest.

The reserve is made up of several separate parts: the source area and uppermost course of the Křemelná River on the eastern slope of Můstek (1235 m), the springs of its tributary Slatinný potok on the eastern side of Pancíř (1214 m), and the source area of the Řezná River on Pancíř's southern slope. The atmosphere here is hushed and damp, filled with moss, sedges, and the scent of coniferous forest. In spring and summer the bogs come alive with rare plants and insects tied exclusively to such habitats. In autumn mist drifts over the streams, and in winter snow deepens the silence even further.

How to get there

• Železná Ruda - trail towards Pancíř, moderate difficulty
• Čachrov - alternative starting point from the eastern side, gentler terrain

Practical information

• Managed by the Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape Area Administration
• The area protects a sensitive system of springs and peat bogs - please stay on marked trails

It's worth knowing that this is where the Křemelná River begins its journey - one of the streams that later shapes the classic Šumava landscape, and the whole area is protected precisely so these natural water-forming processes can continue undisturbed.