5. Quarry route

6. Stone quarries of Plešovice and Zrcadlová huť

The metamorphic rock granulite is or was mined in both quarries. The former one is still active but some parts were abandoned at different time. Thus various successional stages, aged between 1 and approximately 25 years, are visible. They are dominated especially by woody species such as birch (Betula pendula), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), willow (Salix caprea) and aspen (Populus tremula). Similar stages are visible in the latter quarry, which was completely abandoned and then left to spontaneous succession. The parts without a dense cover of woody species are especially valuable habitats for various insect and spider species. It will be demonstrated in the field that spontaneous succession is an effective and cheap way of restoration and no technical reclamation is needed except in forming a shape of the quarry which is aesthetically acceptable to the public when quarrying is ceased

12. Natural reserve Vyšenské kopce and abandoned quarry Výří vrch

The nature reserve Vyšenské kopce is one of the most important natural reserves of the South Bohemia region. It protects a mosaic of calcareous steppe grasslands (Bromion erecti), bare rocks, scrub and small forests with well preserved flora and fauna. It is also an important mycological locality, since more than 300 of species of fungi were recorded there. Since the 16th century the area was used as pasture for Český Krumlov. The management was stopped in the 1950s, but in the 1970s expanding shrubs were cut and regular pasture and mowing management was renewed. The abandoned quarry Výří vrch, which is situated 450 m from the reserve, was recently added to the reserve. The crystalline limestone was mined there from around 1860 to 1993.

19. Český Krumlov, the town of UNESCO Heritage

One of the best preserved medieval towns in central Europe located over meanders of the Vltava River. Many gothic, renaissance and baroque buldings form together a unique atmosphere of the town dominated by the second largest castle in the country (after Prague) and a valuable late gothic church.