CZ, Moravian Karst – Macocha Nature Trail I

Actually, the Macocha Nature Trail goes off the Skalni Mill to Katerinska cave. Then it goes up steeply following the Katerinska trail. Its elevation surpasses 100 meters until it reaches the edge of Suchy zleb. Only then it goes to the Macocha Gorge. From there it takes you up to the Konska observation platform and then down following the Salmova trail. Next stop is Pusty zleb and the trail goes by the bottom station of the cable car and also by Punekvni caves back to Skalni Mill. Our intention was to take this trail the other way round.

Five minutes later we encountered the last infoboard (the first for us) at the Macocha Nature trail. I tells us on the Punkva underground. This area was put to the list of important marshlands as according to the Ramsar Treaty. Interesting about this area is the fact that it is the largest cave system in the Czech Republic. It has more than 34 kilometers of corridors, domes, and gorges. The rivers Punkva, Sloupsky potok, Bila voda and couple of others flow there. We were in the area that was close to the Punkva river. This locality is extraordinary not only for marshland fauna but also for its rare endemic species.

Looking at wild “water”forest reminded us of some tropic areas. But unlike there the temperature didn’t rise above 20 degrees. Bit later, we encountered another infoboard. This time it unraveled the mystery of the hole in white-grey rock. Its name is Stajgrova Cave. It consists of a 150-meter corridor in a crack. We, however, didn’t dare to even enter it. We even didn’t know if we might. On our way, we saw many small caves, gorges, or places where the Punkva flows outside.

All of a sudden, we found ourselves at the entrance to the Punkevni caves . The construction of a new administration building was taking place in the time of our visit. The new structure is very well design and fits the environment. Inside, the visitors will find excellent service. This most popular cave system in the Czech Republic enchants its visitors with dripstones, lakes, gorge, corridors, and inner domes. On the Macocha’s bottom, boats can take you through the underground. You better book your trip, which is certainly magnificent. We didn’t do it which translated into not seeing this fascinating complex.

Near the cave, we encountered the bust of famous Czech archeologist and speleologist Jindrich Wankel. In the 1850s and 60s, he mapped many caves of the Moravian Karst. He also explored Macocha Gorge. The cable car’s bottom station stands right after the turn.

If we eventually took it to the edge of Suchy Zleb or we simply further followed the trail is the matter of the next article.

GPS: 49°21'48.1"N 16°42'30.5"E (Skalni Mill car park)

Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút