Na hornické

Na hornické is a nature reserve on the Elbe river near the villages of Svatá Kateřina and Záboří nad Labem, in the Kolín district of the Central Bohemian Region. Covering just over 42 hectares at an elevation of roughly 198–202 metres, the reserve was declared in 2002 and falls under IUCN category III. It protects one of the last surviving fragments of natural floodplain forest along a stretch of the Elbe that has otherwise been heavily regulated.

What exactly is protected here?

The reserve safeguards hardwood floodplain forest dominated by oak and elm, growing on two former river branches (oxbows) of the Elbe, along with aquatic and reed communities of overgrown ponds and alluvial meadows of varying moisture. Together they form a mosaic of habitats that once defined the unregulated river valley and now survives only in scattered pockets like this one.

How is the reserve laid out?

Na hornické is split into three separate sections, divided by a railway line. The most significant part centres on the Elbe pond Špačkovo jezero together with the adjoining floodplain forest inside a former meander, floodplain meadows, reed beds, and a smaller pool. The second section lies south of the railway, near the so-called Old Dobrava and east of the Na Špandě homestead, and comprises floodplain forest, meadows, and ponds. The third section stretches between the railway line and the left bank of the Elbe, northeast of the Na Hornické homestead that gave the reserve its name.

What can visitors see in spring?

In spring, the forest floor bursts into bloom with species typical of fertile floodplain woodland — corydalis in its yellow and white forms, wood and buttercup anemones, wild garlic, and lungwort all appear. Marsh marigold spreads along the two Elbe oxbows, and in the small pools left behind by the meandering Dobrava tributary, a rare orchid from the fen-orchid group occasionally flowers. This combination of woodland understory and wetland micro-habitats is what gives the reserve its ecological value.

Who manages the site?

The reserve falls under the administration of the Central Bohemian Regional Authority, which is responsible for nature conservation in the area.

Who is this reserve for?

Na hornické appeals mainly to nature lovers, amateur botanists, and anyone looking for a quiet walk along the Elbe away from the main tourist trails. Because the area holds protected-reserve status, visitors are advised to keep to marked paths and take particular care around the protected vegetation, especially in spring when the forest floor is at its most sensitive.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Na hornické reserve located? Along the Elbe river, between the villages of Svatá Kateřina and Záboří nad Labem, in the Kolín district of the Central Bohemian Region.

When was the reserve established? It received legal protection in 2002.

How large is the reserve? It covers just over 42 hectares, divided into three sections separated by a railway line.

What is the main natural feature of the area? A preserved fragment of floodplain forest with Elbe oxbow lakes, ponds, and alluvial meadows, plus a rich spring flora that includes several rare species.

Is there tourist infrastructure on site? This is primarily a protected natural area without extensive infrastructure — visitors should stick to the designated paths.