Borek u Domašova

Borek u Domašova is a small but remarkable nature reserve lying north of the village of Domašov, within the municipality of Bělá pod Pradědem in the Jeseník district of the Czech Republic. Covering 13.54 hectares, it sits on the steep southeastern slope of the Zaječí hill, inside the Jeseníky Protected Landscape Area. The reserve falls under the care of the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, administered locally through the Jeseníky landscape area authority.

What makes this reserve special?

The primary reason for protection is a relict pine forest growing on Devonian quartzite scree — a fragment of vegetation that survived from the Ice Age almost unchanged to this day. The rocky scree field, which dominates the visual character of the reserve, is nearly devoid of plant cover, creating a striking contrast with the dense forest surrounding it.

Why does this site matter to scientists?

Beyond its botanical value, Borek u Domašova is also a paleontological site of European significance. The Devonian quartzites here belong to the staurolite metamorphic zone, and they preserve traces of ancient fauna in a state that is considered unique on a continental scale for this stage of regional metamorphism. For geologists and paleontologists, this makes the reserve a rare window into how living organisms can leave recognizable traces even in rock that has undergone intense metamorphic transformation.

What plants and animals live here?

The central scree field is almost entirely bare of vegetation, while the forest stands bordering it are made up of spruce, pine, birch, and fir — species typical of the foothills of the Jeseníky mountains. Along the edges of the rocky ground, look for red currant and hawksbeard growing in the thin soil pockets. Among the animals recorded in the reserve is the goldcrest, Europe's smallest bird, often heard rather than seen among the branches of the surrounding trees.

How can visitors explore the reserve?

An educational nature trail connecting Červenohorské sedlo and Ramzová passes directly through Borek u Domašova, giving hikers crossing this stretch of the Jeseníky mountains an easy opportunity to stop and take in the site without a special detour. Because of its status as a protected nature reserve, access is legally restricted to marked tourist trails only — leaving the path or stepping onto the scree field itself is prohibited, in order to preserve the fragile structure of this habitat.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors walk off the marked trail inside the reserve? No. By law, movement within the reserve is restricted to designated tourist trails, a measure meant to protect the delicate rocky habitat and the relict pine forest growing on it.

What is the main attraction of this site? The combination of two rarities: an Ice Age relict pine forest on quartzite scree, and a paleontological site of European importance, where Devonian quartzites preserve traces of ancient fauna.

How do you get to the reserve? The easiest way is on foot, via the educational trail running between Červenohorské sedlo and Ramzová — the reserve lies directly along this popular route through the Jeseníky mountains, close to the village of Domašov.

Is wildlife visible in the reserve? Yes, though it takes patience — the surrounding forest is home to the goldcrest, the continent's smallest bird, along with other species typical of the Jeseníky foothill woodlands.