Augšperský potok

Augšperský potok is a small but ecologically valuable nature reserve on the western outskirts of Brno, within the cadastral territory of the Brno-Žebětín district, in a locality known as Šípské louky. The protected area covers just over one and a half hectares, and its centerpiece is a naturally meandering, unnamed stream flowing through a moist valley toward Rosice, close to the famous Masaryk Circuit racetrack.

Why is this stream protected?

Augšperský potok was declared a natural monument in 1989. The reason for its protection lies in the distinctive character of the valley, where the stream is free to meander, forming natural bends and shallow pools. This kind of terrain supports moist and wetland meadow plant communities that have become increasingly rare in the landscape around Brno, much of which has been reshaped by agriculture and urban expansion. The valley also serves as a refuge for amphibians and endangered bird species, for which the meandering watercourse and its surrounding wetlands are an irreplaceable habitat.

What can visitors see here?

The reserve's most notable botanical feature is the broad-leaved marsh orchid, which blooms here in spring across the damp meadows. It grows alongside other plants typical of wetland habitats, including species from the buttercup family and vegetation characteristic of meandering stream banks. Spring is by far the best time to see the reserve at its most colorful, when the meadow flora is in full bloom.

The animal life here is dominated by species tied to wet meadows and stream banks. Traces of the water vole can be found along the waterway, and the damp corners of the valley are home to brown frogs, including several smaller species from this group. The presence of amphibians and their habitats was in fact one of the main reasons this small locality was placed under protection.

How to get to Augšperský potok

The reserve lies along a yellow-marked hiking trail that runs from Brno-Žebětín toward the village of Tetčice. This makes the site easily accessible to hikers exploring the western outskirts of Brno, and it can easily be included as a short stop on a longer route connecting Žebětín with the area around the Masaryk Circuit racetrack and onward toward Rosice. Given its small size, a visit does not take long, but it is worth taking a moment to walk quietly along the valley and observe the stream's natural bends.

Frequently asked questions

What is Augšperský potok? It is a natural monument covering the valley of a naturally meandering stream on the western edge of Brno, protected for its valuable wet meadow habitats and the presence of rare plants and animals.

When is the best time to visit? Spring is the best season, when the broad-leaved marsh orchid and other characteristic wetland plants bloom across the meadows.

What animals live here? The reserve is home to the water vole and several species of brown frogs, for which the wet valley provides an important refuge.

How do you reach the reserve? The easiest way is on foot, following the yellow hiking trail that runs from Brno-Žebětín to Tetčice, near the Masaryk Circuit racetrack.

Since when has the area been protected? It was granted natural monument status in 1989.