Bida: Natural swimming pool, forest trails and local history

Bida brings together several reasons to visit: the Koupaliště Borek natural swimming pool, walking trails in Mojský les and traces of local and mining history. If you choose a destination based on specific activities, you’ll find a range of options here. The swimming pool brings together water and leisure facilities, while forest trails and historical landmarks draw attention to the landscape and the past. You can decide whether the natural swimming pool, outdoor activities in the forest or the town’s historical character will be the deciding factor for your trip.

Natural swimming pool by Mojský les

The Koupaliště Borek natural swimming pool is on U Studánky Street in Borek, right next to Mojský les and the Kyselá voda stream. Water quality is maintained using biological filter lagoons without chemical additives. The facility includes a paddling pool, a children’s playground and a natural swimming pool for older visitors; there is also a bathing pier and a diving tower. The natural swimming pool is up to 3.6 metres deep. “Up to” refers to the maximum depth, not a uniform depth throughout the pool.

Forest trails and Orty

There are hiking trails near the terminus at the edge of the Mojský les forest complex. The landmarks are in different locations: the natural swimming pool is on U Studánky Street by the Kyselá voda stream, while the walking trails are near the terminus at the edge of Mojský les. The Orty Natural Monument also includes the cadastral area of Borek u Českých Budějovic. The Orty mine complex covers about 12 hectares; its underground passages are more than 5.6 kilometres long in total. These figures describe different measures: the area in hectares refers to the complex, while the length in kilometres refers to the combined length of the passages.

Mining, architectural history and the forest railway

Borek originally developed as a mining settlement. One architectural landmark is the former Schwarzenberg inn for travellers, No. 1, a Neoclassical building dating from 1815 to 1816. A simple wooden bell tower made of two posts also stands near the municipal office. These examples represent different architectural forms: a Neoclassical inn on the one hand and a plain bell tower on the other.

The traces of the steam forest railway also connect the landscape with its history: forest trails with embankments and cuttings around Borek recall the former railway. It was built after the devastating storm of 1916 to clear windblown timber and was in operation until around 1921. Borek’s origins as a mining settlement and the later history of the forest railway are two historical themes that sit side by side.

Getting there by bus

Borek is served by public transport bus routes from České Budějovice. The routes are part of an integrated fare system. If you plan to take the bus, check the current timetable and fare information with the operator before travelling, as both may change.

Discover more destinations: Duben, Teindles, Strazkovice, Srubec, Budweis, Rimov, Kamenný Újezd, Vidov.

Go to the regional travel overview: Okres České Budějovice.