Kačiny

Kačiny is a nature reserve covering just under 31 hectares, west of the village of Černovice in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands near Žďár nad Sázavou. Protected since 1990, the site is notable for hosting one of the highest-elevation, near-natural hornbeam-dominated forest stands in the region — an unusual occurrence, since hornbeam typically avoids such exposed, elevated terrain.

What can you find here?

The core of the reserve is a hornbeam forest with a lush herbaceous understory, growing alongside beech, sycamore maple and large-leaved linden. This pocket of deciduous woodland stands out sharply against the surrounding spruce monocultures, forming a kind of biodiversity island in the middle of commercially managed forest. The understory is dense and species-rich, making Kačiny a valuable spot for observing vegetation typical of moist, shaded mid-elevation broadleaf forests.

Equally important is the terrain itself. The rocky ground here was shaped by periglacial frost-weathering processes during the Pleistocene, the ice age that left behind a distinctive set of landforms. Visitors can find frost-riven cliffs, boulder streams and stone seas — extensive fields of accumulated rock blocks formed by repeated freezing and thawing of water inside rock fissures. These formations bear witness to the forces that shaped the Central European landscape tens of thousands of years ago, and today they rank among the reserve's main natural attractions.

What wildlife lives in Kačiny?

The variety of habitats, from rocky boulder fields to moist deciduous forest, supports a range of animal species. Among the mammals, badgers can be found here, while black woodpeckers are a characteristic bird species, often revealed by the loud drumming echoing through the forest. Bats also shelter in rock crevices and old trees, drawn to this mosaic environment rich in hiding places and insect prey.

Who is this place for?

Kačiny appeals mainly to nature and geology enthusiasts who appreciate quiet, less-traveled routes away from the main tourist trails. The combination of a rare hornbeam stand with striking rock formations turns a walk through the reserve into an open-air lesson in both botany and geology. Birdwatchers and nature photographers looking for quieter, less obvious scenes will also find plenty to appreciate here.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Kačiny reserve located? It lies west of the village of Černovice, near Žďár nad Sázavou in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.

When was the reserve established? The area was placed under protection in 1990.

How large is the reserve? Kačiny covers approximately 30.9 hectares.

Why was this area protected? It protects a rare, near-natural hornbeam forest stand growing at unusually high elevation, along with distinctive rock formations created by Pleistocene frost weathering.

What animals can be seen here? The reserve is home to badgers, black woodpeckers and several species of bats, among other wildlife.