Arnostov: River Landscape and Traces of the Forest Railway

Arnoštov lies in the Šumava Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Šumava) on the Blanice, where the Puchéřský potok flows into the river. The village is therefore shaped by a protected natural area and the confluence of two waterways. This provides a clear picture for planning your trip: the landscape and waterways form the setting, while the glassworks and forest railway offer specific historical points of interest.

River Landscape and Protected Nature

The Blanice National Nature Monument is located near Arnoštov. This extensive area includes meadows, wetlands and forests in the Blanice watershed. The connection with water is evident both in the village itself and in the landscape of the nature monument. Visitors particularly interested in nature and waterways will find two different perspectives here: the confluence in Arnoštov and the diverse landscape in the surrounding area.

Walks along the banks of the Blanice and Puchrovský potok near Arnoštov offer the opportunity to spot dippers, kingfishers and black storks. These are possible sightings, not guaranteed encounters. A report dated 13 August 2026 also describes beaver dams built by beavers in recent years on the Puchéřský potok near Arnoštov. The riverbanks and waterways are therefore also of interest to travelers interested in wildlife.

Traces of the Glassworks and Forest Railway

The glassworks in Arnoštov closed permanently in 1945. The only surviving remnant of the former works is the owner's villa, known as Zámeček. The building dates from the early 19th century and was the villa of glassworks owner Wilhelm Kralik. Several historical aspects come together in this building: its age, its former function as a villa and its connection to the history of the glassworks.

The former forest railway is another chapter in the village's history. It is remembered by the original railway trackbed, with remains of sleepers, and an old stone bridge in Arnoštov. Three steam locomotives operated on the Arnoštov forest railway: Wilma, Ludvík and Lisel. Together, the structural remains and the locomotive names point to different aspects of this railway's history.

Walking and Cycling Around Arnoštov

The routes described can be distinguished by mode of travel and destination. Hiking Route No. 3 leads from Arnoštov via Sedmidomí and Čtyři domy to Na Skále. A red-marked hiking trail runs via Spálenec and Arnoštov to Volary, passing places associated with the former narrow-gauge railway. This hiking route thus connects Arnoštov with another place and a specific aspect of its railway heritage.

For cycling, Cycle Route No. 1252 offers a distinct option: it runs from the junction near Křišťanov via Arnoštov and the Záhvozdský potok to Pernek. The information about destinations and routes helps distinguish the routes without conflating the hiking and cycling trails. Before your trip, check for possible access restrictions on Hiking Route No. 3 and Cycle Route No. 1252.

You can discover Arnoštov according to your interests: its riverside nature, the history of the glassworks and forest railway, or the hiking and cycling routes described here. These themes complement one another but remain distinct: the National Nature Monument is in the area surrounding the village, while Zámeček and the surviving railway traces are specific historical landmarks in Arnoštov.

Discover more destinations: Svatá Maří, Dub U Prachatic, Lenóra, Těšovice, Micovice, Trhonin, Vrbice, Malenice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Prachatice.