Mohelenská hadcová step

Mohelenská hadcová step is one of the most distinctive nature reserves in the Czech Republic, spread across slopes descending toward a bend in the Jihlava River known locally as "Čertův ocas" (Devil's Tail). The reserve sits near the village of Mohelno, in the Třebíč district of the Vysočina region. Covering almost 109 hectares, it ranks among the oldest protected areas in the country — legal protection was established back in 1933, long before the Czech Republic developed its modern nature conservation framework.

Where does the name come from?

The reserve takes its name from serpentinite, a dark rock rich in minerals from the serpentine group, mainly antigorite and chrysotile, with a high content of magnesium and iron. This unusual bedrock is the reason the site looks and behaves so differently from its surroundings. The dark rock absorbs heat intensely, and combined with low rainfall and strong solar exposure, it produces a dry, warm microclimate that resembles open steppe far more than the forests typical of central Europe.

Why is this place so unusual?

The combination of unusual rock, a hot and dry local climate, and geographic isolation has turned Mohelenská hadcová step into something like a biological island. It is counted among the most famous steppe habitats in the entire Czech Republic, and its conditions are distinctive enough that around 60 species of plants and animals new to science have been described here. The serpentine steppe supports vegetation and insect life adapted to extremely dry, nutrient-poor soil — a combination found nowhere else in the surrounding region. This unusual biodiversity is a direct result of the site's geology, not coincidence, concentrated within a relatively small area.

How is the reserve visited?

Two nature trails run through the reserve, allowing visitors to see its most interesting sections without disturbing the fragile ecosystem. Leaving the marked paths is prohibited, and this rule is central to protecting the site: the steppe vegetation and thin soil layer are highly sensitive to trampling. Walking along the trails still offers a striking view of a landscape unlike typical Czech forests and meadows — open, rocky slopes falling toward the Jihlava River's meander create scenery rarely seen elsewhere in this part of Europe.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Mohelenská hadcová step located? The reserve lies above a meander of the Jihlava River, near the village of Mohelno in the Třebíč district of the Vysočina region.

How large is the reserve? It covers nearly 109 hectares.

Since when has the area been protected? The site has held protected status since 1933, making it one of the oldest protected areas in the region.

What is serpentinite, and why does it matter here? It's a dark rock composed of minerals such as antigorite and chrysotile, with high magnesium and iron content. Its properties shaped the dry, warm microclimate responsible for the reserve's unusual steppe vegetation.

Can visitors walk freely through the reserve? No — access is restricted to two marked nature trails, and leaving them is not permitted.

What makes this site significant from a natural-history perspective? Its unusual geology and steppe microclimate have made it home to roughly 60 species of plants and animals newly described to science, placing it among the most important steppe habitats in the Czech Republic.