Biskoupský kopec

Biskoupský kopec is a hill and nature reserve located between the villages of Biskoupky and Senorady, within the Střední Pojihlaví landscape protected area, on the left bank of the Jihlava River. Its highest point reaches 397 metres above sea level, while the protected area itself spans elevations of roughly 382 to 387 metres.

What makes this nature reserve special?

Biskoupský kopec was granted legal protection in 1979 as a natural monument covering 8.17 hectares. It is one of several isolated, hill-shaped patches of land in this stretch of the Jihlava valley where fragments of original steppe and forest-steppe vegetation have survived — plant communities that are unusual for Central Europe and more typical of warmer, drier climates. These pockets endured here thanks to the specific orientation of the slopes and the underlying terrain, which never lent itself to intensive farming.

What kind of vegetation grows on the hill?

The hill is covered by a mosaic of deciduous forest interspersed with scattered spruces, pines, and junipers. This mix gives Biskoupský kopec a different look from the more uniform woodlands typical of the wider region — dense forest stands alternate with more open, sun-exposed patches of steppe vegetation, and it is precisely these open areas that justified placing the site under protection.

Where exactly is the hill situated?

Biskoupský kopec lies between the villages of Biskoupky and Senorady, and a broader chain of similar hills extends further toward the village of Lhánice, all along the left bank of the Jihlava River. The river has carved a valley here, and its slopes — steep, rocky in places, and strongly sun-exposed — created the conditions that allowed steppe vegetation to survive from a period when the region's climate was warmer and drier than it is today.

Why is it worth a visit?

For anyone interested in nature, Biskoupský kopec offers a chance to see, within a single small area, the contrast between dense deciduous forest and open steppe-like clearings — a combination that is rare on the Jihlava Highlands. It also makes a good starting point for walks along the Jihlava valley, combining scenic value with light foot traffic, which keeps the site quiet and uncrowded compared to more established tourist destinations.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Biskoupský kopec? The hill's highest point reaches 397 metres above sea level, while the protected nature reserve area itself lies at elevations between 382 and 387 metres.

When was the nature reserve established? Legal protection was granted in 1979, covering an area of 8.17 hectares.

What kind of vegetation can be found here? The hill is dominated by deciduous forest mixed with spruces, pines, and junipers, with surviving patches of steppe and forest-steppe vegetation in the sunnier sections.

Where is the hill located relative to nearby villages? Biskoupský kopec lies between Biskoupky and Senorady, on the left bank of the Jihlava River, within the Střední Pojihlaví landscape protected area.

Is this hill part of a larger protected area? Yes — it neighbours other similarly shaped hills extending toward the village of Lhánice, together forming a chain of isolated elevations with a comparable natural character.