Vlkov: Riverbanks, Forests and Nature Trails

Vlkov and the River Landscape

Vlkov lies on the right bank of the Lužnice and within the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area. Deep forests surround the village. The Vlkovský pond lies southeast of Vlkov and is part of the Třeboňsko pond system. Several distinct reference points help orient you geographically: the village’s riverside location, the forests around it, and a pond that forms part of the regional system. The Vlkovský is a distinct landscape feature to the southeast and should not be confused with the village’s riverside location.

Protected Nature and a Landscape of Lakes

The Písečný přesyp u Vlkova Nature Reserve is located near Vlkov. It protects the best-preserved sand dune. Rare species of fungi, plants that thrive in sandy conditions, and numerous groups of invertebrates are found in the area; for this reason, it is considered a site of European importance. The nature reserve is not open to the public. The sand dune and biodiversity are therefore part of the area’s natural character, while the reserve itself is not an accessible visitor destination.

The Veselské pískovny have a different history. The area stretches between Veselí nad Lužnicí, including its Horusice district, and the municipality of Vlkov. It contains five separate lakes created by gravel and sand extraction between 1952 and 1986. This period gives the landscape’s history a specific context: the lakes are linked to gravel and sand extraction. By contrast, the Vlkovský pond is part of the Třeboňsko pond system—another water feature in the region, but described in a different context.

There are different focuses to consider when choosing a nature-related destination: the nature reserve is about protecting a sand dune and the species found there, while the Veselské pískovny are a lake landscape created by extraction. These details help distinguish a protected habitat from the history of the landscape.

Nature Trails and Recreation by the Water

The Veselské pískovny nature trail is a 7 km circular route around the Vlkovská sand quarry and Jezero Veselí I. Its 14 information boards cover the history of the landscape and nature in the area around the lakes. The boards are available in Czech, German and English, providing information on both topics in three languages. You can also play the educational game “PÍSEČNOU PLÁŽÍ DO LEDOVÝCH DOB” along the trail. The circuit thus combines a walking route, information and an additional opportunity to play a game.

The Veselské pískovny offer opportunities for seasonal recreational swimming, but they are not officially operated outdoor swimming pools. This distinction is important when planning a visit to the water: recreational swimming is possible, but there is no official outdoor swimming pool operation.

The Okolo Třeboně nature trail is a 39 km circular route with 22 information stops. If you compare the stated route lengths, the 7 km Veselské pískovny nature trail can be compared with the 39 km Okolo Třeboně route. Their information offerings differ too: 14 boards on the Veselské pískovny circuit and 22 stops on Okolo Třeboně.

Discover more destinations: Dolní Hořice, Veselí Nad Luznicí, Oldřichov, Dírná, Dvorce, Zálší, Košice U Soběslavi, Nadějkov

For the broader travel overview: Tábor District.