Razula

The Razula National Nature Reserve is one of the oldest nature reserves in the Czech Republic, located in the Zlín Region, in the Vsetín district, near the village of Velké Karlovice. The protected area covers the mouth of the Malá Hanzlůvka stream valley together with the northern slopes of Lemešné mountain, in the southwestern part of the Javorníky range. The reserve lies at an altitude of 660 to 812 metres above sea level and covers 23.52 hectares, situated within the larger Beskydy Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Beskydy).

Where is the Razula reserve located?

Razula lies in the Western Beskids, within the Javorníky mountain range, in the municipality of Velké Karlovice, one of the easternmost settlements in the Zlín Region. The area borders Slovakia and is known for its extensive forested hills and sparsely populated valleys. The reserve itself covers a section of land around the valley of the Malá Hanzlůvka stream, on the northern slopes of Lemešné — this exposure and terrain shape define the character of the protected area.

When was the reserve established?

The Razula reserve was established on 31 December 1933, making it one of the longest-standing protected areas in what is now the Czech Republic. Its nearly century-long history of protection gives it particular significance for the history of Czech nature conservation, having been founded in the interwar period, long before the modern system of protected landscape areas was created.

How large is the protected area?

The reserve covers 23.52 hectares, placing it among the smaller, more compact nature reserves. Despite its modest size, it encompasses a cohesive, uniform stretch of terrain — the mouth of the stream valley together with the adjoining slopes — which makes it easier to effectively protect this particular fragment of mountain landscape.

What is the CHKO Beskydy?

The Razula reserve lies within the Beskydy Protected Landscape Area (Chráněná krajinná oblast Beskydy) — an extensive protected landscape covering the Czech part of the Beskids. Within this broader conservation system, smaller, more strictly protected nature reserves such as Razula are designated in places where natural conditions are considered particularly valuable and in need of further, more rigorous protection.

How to get to the reserve?

The starting point for exploring the area around the reserve is the village of Velké Karlovice, a popular tourist destination in the Wallachia region, known for its wooden folk architecture and numerous hiking trails leading deep into the Javorníky mountains. The reserve's geographic coordinates (49.3598, 18.382) place it to the east of the municipality's centre, towards the border with Slovakia.

Frequently asked questions

Are there hiking trails through the Razula reserve? The reserve lies within the CHKO Beskydy, where access to the more strictly protected nature reserves is often limited to designated routes. Before visiting, it is worth checking current signage and access rules on site.

At what altitude is the reserve located? The protected area extends from 660 to 812 metres above sea level, covering varied terrain — from the valley floor of the Malá Hanzlůvka stream up to the higher slopes of Lemešné mountain.

Which mountain range does Razula belong to? The reserve lies within the Javorníky range, which forms the southwestern part of the Western Beskids, near the Czech–Slovak border.

Since when has the area been protected? The area has been continuously protected since 31 December 1933, making Razula one of the oldest nature reserves in what is now the Czech Republic.