Dobrá studně

Dobrá studně is a small but scientifically remarkable nature reserve (přírodní památka) in the municipality of Ochoz u Tišnova, on the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, at the foot of the western slopes of the Sýkoř hill. The protected area covers roughly 13.24 hectares and lies at an elevation of 445 to 500 metres above sea level.

What makes this place special?

The defining feature of Dobrá studně is its unusual terrain. The ground is cut by pronounced solifluction lobes, separated by small waterlogged hollows. This landscape formed through periglacial processes — repeated freezing and thawing of the ground combined with the slow downslope creep of water-saturated soil — that took place during the Pleistocene glaciations. The result is a terrain relief that today resembles an Arctic tundra landscape, effectively a window into the region's Ice Age geological past. For geologists and geomorphologists, it is one of the more interesting sites documenting the effects of glaciation in an area that itself lay beyond the reach of the ice sheets.

Vegetation and habitats

The reserve preserves fragments of pasture grassland where common heather and a two-leaved orchid species, typical of damp, nutrient-poor habitats, grow. The mosaic of drier grassland patches and wet depressions means several distinct habitat types coexist within a relatively small area, which significantly raises the ecological value of the whole site.

Wildlife

The waterlogged character of the terrain, together with a small water reservoir within the reserve, supports species tied to wet and aquatic environments. The reservoir is home to a highly endangered newt species under strict protection, while the damp meadows and pastures serve as a breeding ground for the meadow pipit — a bird increasingly rare across Central European farmland due to the intensification of grassland management.

Getting there and visiting

Dobrá studně lies right next to the village of Ochoz u Tišnova and borders Cimrman's Nature Trail (Cimrmanova naučná stezka), making it an easily accessible destination for hikers exploring the area around Tišnov. It is a rewarding stop for anyone interested in geology, botany, or birdwatching who wants to combine a walk through gently undulating countryside with a look at unique traces left behind by the Ice Age.

Because of its nature-protection status, visitors should stick to marked paths and avoid disturbing the fragile meadow and wetland habitats within the reserve.

Frequently asked questions

How large is the Dobrá studně reserve? The protected area covers approximately 13.24 hectares.

Why is the terrain at Dobrá studně so unusual? It results from solifluction processes during the Pleistocene glaciations — freezing, thawing, and the slow creep of soil down the slope — which shaped a landscape that now resembles Arctic tundra.

What rare species can be found here? The meadows support a two-leaved orchid species, the meadow pipit breeds here, and the water reservoir is home to an endangered newt species.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes, the reserve borders Cimrman's Nature Trail, allowing visitors to combine a visit with a longer hiking route.