Moorland, forest and glassmaking traditions shape the experiences around Lesná. The Podkovák Nature Reserve lies within the municipality, while several nature trails explore nature, settlement and forestry. Other highlights include a distinctive iconostasis in St. Nicholas Church and cross-border hiking routes that make it possible to visit Germany from the surrounding area. When choosing a holiday apartment in Lesná, it is worth considering first whether you want your stay to focus on moorland, wildlife watching, a longer themed trail or historic sites.
Moorland and forest in Český les
The entire municipality of Lesná lies within the Český les Nature Park. The Podkovák Nature Reserve is located in the cadastral area: covering 5.6 hectares, it protects a small raised bog with stands of mountain pine. This defined moorland area sits alongside the Nature Park’s larger forest and landscape areas. Those interested in the area’s distinctive habitats can find further nature-related themes on the nature trails, each connected with the history and use of the landscape.
The Podkovák Nature Trail leads to a covered resting shelter at the end of the route, with views of the peat bog pools. To reach the trail, leave your car at a forestry-road junction on the Lesná–Stará Knížecí Huť road, about 500 metres from Lesná. Then follow the green hiking trail. During the complete renovation of the nature trail, the boardwalk, benches and bicycle stands were replaced.
Nature trails for wildlife watching and history
The Lesná Nature Trail starts right in Lesná and is a one-way loop of about 11.3 kilometres with ten stops. It is suitable for walkers and cyclists. Its themes include the area’s former settlement, natural features and forest management. These topics connect the history of the inhabited area with the landscape through which the trail passes.
The Vodní svět Nature Trail starts beyond Lesná in the direction of Stará Knížecí Huť and is about two kilometres long. It is therefore shorter than the approximately 11.3-kilometre Lesná Nature Trail. The focus here is on observing aquatic life: a beaver-watching site offers a direct view of a beaver lodge. At another pond, a wooden walkway provides an opportunity to observe aquatic invertebrates and amphibians. The two routes differ in both length and focus: one covers settlement, nature and forestry, while the other draws attention to animals and habitats by the water.
The Sklářství Nature Trail starts in Stará Knížecí Huť. Its loop is about 6.3 kilometres long and has 13 stops. It presents the history of glassmaking, settlement and the nature of Český les in the area around Stará Knížecí Huť and Huťský rybník. Its number of stops and range of topics give this route a distinct character alongside the wildlife watching at Vodní svět and the broader themes of the Lesná Nature Trail.
Glassmaking traditions, the church and routes across the border
Glassmaking also offers a way to explore the area’s history. Another trace of religious and architectural history can be found in St. Nicholas Church in Lesná: its iconostasis was transferred from an Orthodox chapel in Prague-Dejvice. The historic perspective extends to Havran (894 metres), which during the Cold War was a former site for the radio-technical reconnaissance service of the intelligence administration of the Czechoslovak People’s Army. These details represent different layers of history, from crafts and settlement to past military use.
Cross-border hiking routes are another option in the area around Lesná. Přední Zahájí–Waldheim and Křížový Kámen–Kreuzstein make it possible to visit Germany from there. Together with the nature trails, they offer a choice of different themes for your stay, with each route having its own character.
Discover more destinations: Chodová Planá, Horní Kozolupy, Butov, Kšice, Částkov, Lom U Tachova, Třemešné, Trpísty
For the higher-level travel overview: Tachov District.
