Ostrava Maldives

Fishing bungalows and unique ponds

You don't have to go to the distant Maldives to see romantic bungalows above the water. Instead, you can visit the nature trail Heřmanický rybník! Local cottages might not provide as much luxury as the resorts on atolls (they only serve as a cabins for fishermen), but they still give the place a special sort of a South Asian atmosphere.

The pond Heřmanický rybník (116 ha) is unique due to the specific composition of strongly mineralized water containing boron and iodine, which is pumped into the pond from the shafts of the Ostrava-Karviná mines. After all, the area of the Heřmanice Mine (formerly Rudý říjen) with an impressive slag heap is right next to the pond. Despite the high content of minerals, fish thrive here, which is utilized by many fishermen, who built about 70 cottages on the surface of the pond, connected to the shore by narrow footbridges, often equipped with drawbridges. In addition to fish and fishermen, birds also thrive here. You can observe birds of up to 250 different species around the pond, including some very rare ones. The area around the pond is also a paradise for amphibians.

Length: 5.8 km (from the starting point there and back)

Difficulty: The easy route leads along asphalt roads and unpaved paths. After rain, the trail may be less passable.

Our tips:

• Bring binoculars for watching waterfowl

Parking: along the Orlovská Street

Accessibility by public transport: bus line 49 (Poruba, Opavská - Michálkovice, get off at the "U Dvora" stop, return several meters back to the intersection with Orlovská Street and continue to the left, then after about 150 m turn right and go through the underpass under the railway line. After another 150 m turn right and thats where the nature trail begins. Please note that Orlovská Street is relatively frequented and there are no pavements.)