Kavinský potok

Kavinský potok is a protected nature monument located northwest of the village of Kněževes, in the Blansko district of the South Moravian Region in the Czech Republic. The protected area covers a stretch of the valley of the stream that shares its name, and it was designated for two distinct reasons: an unusual pattern of stream erosion and the presence of a rare plant species.

Why is this stream protected?

The primary reason for protecting this site is the erosion carved by a small watercourse cutting through a sequence of metamorphic rock — phyllites, gneisses, and crystalline limestones. Over a very long span of time, the flowing water has carved a narrow gorge into this rock, producing formations typical of river erosion acting on hard but distinctly layered bedrock.

The second reason for protection is the presence of green spleenwort (Asplenium viride), a fern that is uncommon in this part of Moravia. The plant finds suitable microclimatic conditions here — damp, shaded rock faces and the relatively stable temperature found deep within the gorge.

What does the stream valley look like?

A defining feature of the valley is the alternation of landscape types along its length. Narrow sections, where the stream is squeezed almost directly between vertical rock walls, alternate with wider stretches of valley floor that reach roughly 15 meters across in places. This variation means that following the watercourse offers a changing scenery — from tight, canyon-like passages to more open, gentler terrain.

Why do the rocks have such an unusual shape?

The key to understanding the geology here lies in the nearly horizontal schistosity of the phyllites that make up the bedrock. This layering pattern favors lateral erosion — the stream does not only deepen its own bed but also undercuts the gorge walls from the side. As a result, the walls become progressively steeper over time, and this process continues to shape the valley's landscape today.

This combination of vertical and lateral erosion acting together is relatively uncommon at this scale in the region, which is one of the reasons the site holds value both geologically and ecologically.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Kavinský potok located? The area lies northwest of the village of Kněževes, in the Blansko district of the South Moravian Region.

What can visitors see here? A narrow gorge cut into phyllites, gneisses, and crystalline limestones, alternating narrow and wide sections of the valley, and a habitat for the rare green spleenwort fern.

Why was this site given protected status? Because of the distinctive stream erosion process shaping the metamorphic rock, and the presence of a rare plant species for which the gorge provides a suitable habitat.

Is the valley difficult to walk through? The varying width of the valley — from narrow, rock-squeezed sections to wider floor areas — means the terrain calls for caution, particularly in the tighter parts of the gorge.

What type of rock forms the valley? The bedrock consists of phyllites with nearly horizontal schistosity, along with gneisses and crystalline limestones, together creating a substrate prone to both lateral and vertical erosion.