Hojná voda (national natural monument)

Hojná Voda is a national natural monument in the Novohradské hory mountains, tucked on the southeastern slope of Vysoká peak (1,034 m), a few kilometers from the village that shares its name. The protected area sits at an elevation of roughly 810 to 880 meters and safeguards one of the oldest surviving fragments of natural forest in Central Europe.

What makes this forest so special?

Hojná Voda preserves a remnant of natural mixed mountain forest dominated by beech and fir, with spruce and sycamore maple growing alongside them. What sets this woodland apart is the presence of overmature, centuries-old trees and naturally decaying deadwood left untouched by human management. This lets visitors observe ecological processes that have disappeared from most managed European forests — from the gradual collapse of old tree crowns to deadwood serving as habitat for fungi, insects, and birds.

Why has this area been protected for so long?

Hojná Voda ranks among the oldest protected areas in Central Europe. Together with the nearby Žofínský prales forest, it was placed under protection back in 1838 on the initiative of Count Jiří František August Buquoy. That decision came decades before organized nature conservation took hold across the region, allowing both forests to survive to this day in a near-natural state. The Hojná Voda national natural monument is also included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, underscoring its exceptional ecological value on a continental scale.

Can visitors walk through the old-growth forest itself?

Strict protection means the core of the ancient forest is not open to the public — this is an area where natural processes are meant to unfold undisturbed. Even so, the surroundings have been made accessible: a nature trail circles the protected forest, following part of a route known as the Süsova Path before returning along the state border with Austria. Walking this trail offers a good sense of the mountain landscape of the Novohradské hory without disturbing the reserve's core.

How do you get there?

The village of Hojná Voda serves as the starting point, with the trail leading deeper into the mountains toward the slope of Vysoká. The terrain is distinctly mountainous, so a hike here calls for sturdy footwear — the route climbs through hills and forest up to nearly 900 meters in elevation.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hojná Voda a forest or just a viewpoint? It's primarily a protected stretch of old-growth forest — a natural beech-fir woodland rather than a single scenic lookout. The site's value lies in the ecosystem itself.

Since when has the area been protected? Since 1838, making it one of the oldest protected forests in Central Europe.

Can you walk directly into the old-growth forest? No, the core area is under strict protection. Visits happen along a marked nature trail that circles the reserve.

What sets Hojná Voda apart from an ordinary managed forest? The presence of overmature, centuries-old trees and naturally decaying deadwood that is never removed, allowing the forest to follow its own natural cycles.