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Czech national park Bohemian Switzerland was ravaged by forest fires in the summer of 2022, but the area is undergoing visible recovery nearly three years later. A new viewing platform opened to the public this month offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness the area's remarkable change years after devastation.
Located along the Mlýnská Cesta trail, the platform allows tourists to gaze across the once-charred landscape now undergoing rapid regrowth. This new structure replaces a previous lookout built in 2023 and is set to preserve spectacular views of the park's iconic attractions including Pravčická brána for years to come.
The platform also offers a permanent exhibition of large-format photographs documenting the transformation of the land. Accessible to a wide range of visitors, including families with strollers, people with disabilities, and cyclists, the new platform is positioned to become a key stop for tourists exploring the national park.
Recovery after the fire
The fire that ravaged Bohemian Switzerland in the summer of 2022 was the largest forest fire in Czechia's history, leaving more than 1,000 hectares of forest destroyed. The fire was a wake-up call for local authorities, forcing a complete reevaluation of forest management and the long-term impact of such natural disasters.
Since the fire, the national park has worked tirelessly to restore the damaged ecosystem. The new viewing platform serves not only as a lookout but also as a symbol of the ongoing recovery efforts.
Tourists can observe how the once-burned terrain is slowly coming back to life, with new vegetation sprouting where once-charred trees stood. The forest regeneration process is evident, though the scars of the fire remain visible.
In addition to the panoramic views, the platform features a permanent exhibition showcasing large-format photographs by Václav Sojka. These images offer visitors a closer look at the area's post-fire recovery.
Visitor experience and future outlook
The platform's design, by the Varnsdorf-based architectural studio forWOOD, is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
The structure is easily accessible from several points, including the village of Mezní Louka, making it convenient for visitors to reach. At just three meters above the ground, it provides an elevated perspective without disrupting the surrounding environment.
"The view from the new viewing platform across the naturally regenerating forest will undoubtedly become one of the most popular spots for the coming years," Petr Kříž, director of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park Administration, says through a press release.
"I believe that the new platform will not only enhance visitors' experience on their journey to traditional destinations in this area, such as Divoká soutěska or the Pravčická Brána, but also become one of the main attractions itself."
The platform's location near popular attractions, such as Pravčická Brána, means it will likely become an integral part of the Bohemian Switzerland tourist route. Despite the area's ongoing recovery, some parts of the park, like Gabrielina Stezka, remain closed due to safety concerns over unstable trees and rockfalls.
