Čepičkův vrch a údolí Hodonínky

Čepičkův vrch a údolí Hodonínky is a nature reserve near the village of Černovice in the Blansko district, part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The protected area stretches along a narrow ridge around the peak of Čepička (654 metres above sea level) and takes in the deeply cut valley of the Hodonínka stream, flanked by numerous rock formations rising above its slopes.

Why was this area protected?

The reserve ranks among the most significant small-scale protected areas within the Svratecká hornatina Nature Park. It was established to preserve a rare, large continuous stretch of near-natural and natural beech-maple and ash-maple forest stands. The undergrowth here hosts a mass occurrence of the protected honesty plant (Lunaria rediviva), a species that rarely appears at this scale anywhere else across the whole Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Other endangered plant and animal species are scattered throughout the reserve as well.

What can visitors see here?

A distinctive feature of the landscape is its geomorphologically notable rock formations, shaped by frost weathering over long periods of time. Rocky outcrops and boulders emerge from the forest on the steep slopes above the Hodonínka valley, offering scenic views over the surrounding hills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The stream valley itself is narrow and deeply incised, which helps maintain a cool, humid microclimate — conditions favourable for the rich forest understory typical of deciduous woodlands at lower and mid mountain elevations.

The ridge surrounding Čepička is covered by forest with a near-natural character: beech and maple dominate the higher sections, while ash appears more frequently in the moister parts of the valley. This kind of forest structure, rarely preserved at such scale in the lowland and foothill areas of Moravia, is the reserve's principal natural asset.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the reserve located? It lies in the Blansko district near the village of Černovice, within the Svratecká hornatina Nature Park in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.

How high is the Čepička peak? The peak of Čepička, around which the protected ridge extends, reaches 654 metres above sea level.

What is the main subject of protection? Primarily the near-natural beech-maple and ash-maple forest stands, together with the mass occurrence of the protected honesty plant in the forest undergrowth.

What landforms can be seen here? The reserve is notable for rock formations produced by frost weathering, as well as the deeply incised valley of the Hodonínka stream.

Is this a large protected area? For a small-scale nature reserve, yes — it covers an extensive, continuous stretch of forest along the ridge and valley, making it one of the more significant sites of its kind in the region.