Horní Nekolov

Horní Nekolov is a small but distinctive nature reserve in the Vysočina Region, in the Jihlava district near the village of Mrákotín, Czech Republic. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 688 to 770 metres above sea level, it protects one of the last surviving high-altitude beech stands in the Jihlava Hills (Jihlavské vrchy), mixed with spruce and scattered maple.

What makes this reserve worth protecting?

The core purpose of protection is preserving a patch of forest close to its natural state. Unlike most of the surrounding, commercially managed woodland, the beech forest at Horní Nekolov developed over a long period with minimal human interference. The result is an uneven-aged stand structure, standing and fallen deadwood, and a rich understory flora — features typical of high-value forest ecosystems that have become increasingly rare across Central Europe.

European beech dominates the canopy, forming a tall, closed-crown forest that in places gives way to more mixed sections with Norway spruce and sycamore maple. This species composition at such an elevation is unusual for the region: most forests in the higher parts of the Jihlava Hills were converted to spruce monocultures during past centuries of forestry.

Where does the name come from?

The name "Nekolov" has a telling etymology, derived from the old Czech verb "kolit," meaning to cut or clear land. The negating prefix points to a place that was not cleared — land left untouched by logging to a greater degree than the forests around it. The name still fits the reserve today: a fragment of woodland that has survived in a relatively unaltered form while much of its surroundings were reshaped by forestry.

Why visit Horní Nekolov?

This is a destination for those who enjoy quiet walks through old-growth forest and observing nature in a near-untouched state. The elevation gives the reserve a distinct microclimate compared to lower parts of the region — more frequent mist, cooler summers, and snow that lingers longer into spring — conditions that support flora and fauna typical of higher mountain forests. The nearby village of Mrákotín, known for its historic granite quarries, adds another stop worth combining with a visit to the reserve during a day exploring the Vysočina region.

Given its protected status, Horní Nekolov is not set up for mass tourism — there is little in the way of visitor infrastructure, which many who do visit consider part of its appeal. It suits travellers looking for genuine contact with nature away from crowds, in the heart of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Horní Nekolov located? The reserve lies in the Vysočina Region, Jihlava district, near the village of Mrákotín, at an elevation of 688–770 metres above sea level.

What is being protected here? Primarily a high-elevation beech forest close to its natural state, mixed with spruce and maple — one of the last such forest fragments remaining in the Jihlava Hills.

Are there marked hiking trails through the reserve? The area is managed strictly for nature conservation and has little developed tourist infrastructure — it suits a quiet, low-key walk rather than intensive tourism.

Where does the name "Nekolov" come from? It derives from the Czech verb "kolit" (to cut or clear) combined with a negation, meaning a place that was left uncleared by logging.