Čtvrtě

Čtvrtě is a national nature reserve set in a forest complex west of the village of Mcely, in the Nymburk District of the Central Bohemian Region. Covering roughly 95 hectares at an elevation of 220 to 270 metres above sea level, it was declared a protected area on 23 June 1989 and falls under the administration of the Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj Protected Landscape Area. The reserve exists to safeguard a diverse mosaic of forest types that support a number of rare and endangered plant species.

What makes the forest here so valuable?

Čtvrtě is primarily a broadleaf woodland with an unusually rich understory, most spectacular in spring when the forest floor bursts into bloom. Among the protected and endangered species found here are the spring snowflake, lady's slipper, wood anemone, fumewort, liverleaf, violet and cowslip. The reserve's standout resident, however, is the fine-leaved helleborine, a species of orchid for which this may be the only known site in the entire Czech Republic. That single fact places Čtvrtě among the botanically most significant small reserves in the region.

What animals live in the reserve?

The damp, shaded woodland provides good habitat for amphibians and reptiles. Visitors exploring the marked trails may spot tree frogs and common lizards among the undergrowth. The combination of old broadleaf stands and a dense forest floor also supports a wide range of insects and woodland birds typical of mature Central Bohemian forests.

Are there any historical remains inside the reserve?

Yes. In the centre of the reserve, away from the marked path, lie the remnants of a hillfort attributed to the late Bronze Age Lusatian culture. This makes Čtvrtě not only a botanical site but also a place with a documented history of human settlement stretching back thousands of years, long before the modern village of Mcely existed.

How can visitors explore Čtvrtě?

Access to the reserve is restricted to marked trails only, a rule in place to protect the sensitive forest floor and the habitats of its rare plant species. A nature trail, the Mcelská vlastivědná stezka, runs through the area and combines information about the local flora with the region's history. The forest sections of the path can get muddy, particularly after rain, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring is by far the best season to visit, when the forest floor is at its most colourful and the greatest number of protected plant species can be observed in bloom at once. The reserve remains pleasant to walk through in summer and autumn as well, though the floral display is considerably more modest outside spring.

Frequently asked questions

Is Čtvrtě mainly a forest reserve? Yes, it protects a broadleaf forest complex with a varied mosaic of woodland types and an exceptionally rich understory.

How large is the reserve? About 95 hectares, at an elevation between 220 and 270 metres above sea level.

Are there archaeological remains in the reserve? Yes, the centre of the area contains the remains of a hillfort linked to the late Bronze Age Lusatian culture.

Can visitors leave the marked trails? No, access is permitted only along the designated paths to protect the reserve's plant life.