Milčice (nature reserve)

Milčice is a small yet botanically remarkable nature reserve located southeast of the town of Sušice, in the Klatovy District of the Plzeň Region in the Czech Republic. Covering just 8.86 hectares, the protected area is home to one of the richer orchid collections in the region. The reserve was established on 31 December 1991 by a decision of the Klatovy District Office, and it is now managed by the Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR). Under the international IUCN classification, the site falls into Category IV, a habitat or species management area.

Where exactly is the reserve located?

Milčice sits at an elevation of 585 to 674 metres above sea level, on slopes adjoining the Divišovský stream. The terrain is a mosaic of habitats: most of it is forested, while smaller sections consist of meadows tucked between the trees. These open meadow patches are the reserve's most valuable feature, since without regular management they would quickly become overgrown with trees and shrubs.

Why does this reserve matter to botanists?

Milčice owes its reputation chiefly to its orchids. The meadows and adjoining slopes host several species from the orchid family, including the common spotted orchid, the fly orchid (sometimes described as an "insect orchid" for its insect-mimicking flowers), the red helleborine, and the white helleborine. Beyond orchids, the reserve also supports other rare and protected plants, among them alpine sedge and alpine milkwort. The presence of so many uncommon species in such a small area makes Milčice a valuable reference point for researchers studying Central European flora.

How is the meadow biodiversity maintained?

The meadow sections of the reserve depend on active, ongoing conservation management. Without systematic mowing and the removal of encroaching young trees and shrubs, natural succession would gradually overtake the open ground, eliminating the light-demanding plant species — including most of the orchids mentioned above. For that reason, the managing agency carries out regular maintenance work to preserve the light and soil conditions the rare vegetation depends on.

Is Milčice worth a visit?

Though modest in size, the reserve is an interesting destination for anyone interested in botany or nature photography, particularly during the orchid flowering season in late spring and early summer. Its quiet forest-and-meadow setting near Sušice makes it well suited to short walks off the region's main tourist trails.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Milčice reserve located? Southeast of the town of Sušice, in the Klatovy District of the Plzeň Region, along the Divišovský stream.

How large is the reserve? It covers an area of 8.86 hectares.

When was the reserve established? On 31 December 1991, by decision of the former Klatovy District Office.

What can visitors see in the reserve? Mainly rare orchid species (such as the common spotted orchid, red helleborine, and white helleborine) alongside other protected plants like alpine sedge.

Who manages the reserve? The Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR).