HORSKÁ KVILDA | Mikroregion Šumava Západ

Altitude:  1075 above sea level

Origins:  founded in the 12th-13th C

Number of inhabitants:  75

Administrative area in hectares:  3074 ha

In terms of the number of inhabitants and the altitude Horská Kvilda is the smallest, yet the highest located village in the country. The word ‘horská´ (mountainous) does not refer only to the location of the village but its former allegiance to the nearby mining town of Kašperské Hory. The origins of the village are connected with the trade route between Passau and Kašperské Hory called the Golden Trade Route. One can follow this route by following the green marked path.

The area of Horská Kvilda stretches from Zlaté Studny, where Karel Klostermann´s family came from, namely from ´U Daniele´ farmhouse, across  Zhůří and Turnerova chalet to the river Vydra and Antýgl peak which is located ca 6 km along the blue route. If you follow the route in the other direction, it will take you in between the peat bogs of  Zhůř and Mezilesní all the way to Zlaté Studny. Only one kilometre away along the yellow route is the settlement of Ranklov where the legendary literary figure of Sepp comes from (1819 – 1888). Sepp was the oldest of the nine children of the glass maker Josef Klostermann and he grew to be 210 cm tall. When you follow the road towards Kvilda, you will pass the Vydří most and the Hamerský stream and you will reach the southerly located Jezerní peat bogs. There is a two metre observation tower offering a wonderful view of the protected natural reserve that was formed in 1933 to protect the typical flora of the Šumava peat bogs, in particular the dwarf birch. 

Over the years Horská Kvilda has become a Mecca for tourists. It is a starting point for cross country skiing routes and cycling. There is 180 km of cross country tracks and numerous cycling routes. 

The village is also connected with the history of gold panning from the Hamerský stream. One can still see small heaps of disused soil. The traditional craftsmanship is still very much alive. Karel Tittl and his wood carving have become legendary in this area. The Hones family breed sheep and Scottish cattle that graze the local meadows and provide a picturesque scenery for visiting tourists.