Pod Hribovňou

Pod Hribovňou is a small but ecologically significant nature reserve just south of the village of Vyškovec, in the Uherské Hradiště district of the Zlín Region in eastern Czechia. Covering roughly 6.6 hectares, it sits within the White Carpathians (Bílé Karpaty) — a mountain range famed for hosting some of Central Europe's best-preserved flowering meadows. The reserve lies close to the Hribovňa peak, about 400 meters to its northeast.

What makes this place worth knowing about?

Pod Hribovňou preserves a fragment of traditional mountain meadows and pastures, shaped over centuries by grazing and mowing. The terrain is varied and slopes predominantly northward, creating a distinct microclimate that favors plant species adapted to cooler, moister conditions. It is precisely this diversity of terrain — sun-exposed slopes alternating with damp hollows — that allows such a small area to support an unusually rich variety of flora.

Why was this area given protected status?

The reserve was established primarily to safeguard a remnant of the characteristic White Carpathian meadows, considered among the most valuable grassland habitats in the region. Rare plant species have survived here that have disappeared from many other parts of Central Europe due to agricultural intensification or the abandonment of traditional land management. Pod Hribovňou is recognized as one of the last remaining sites for yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) in this part of Czechia — a plant that was once far more widespread but has become increasingly rare as natural meadows shrink and wild harvesting continues.

How does Pod Hribovňou fit into the wider White Carpathians landscape?

The reserve lies within the broader Moravian Kopanice region, known for its scattered farmsteads and undulating, pastoral scenery. The White Carpathians as a whole form a protected landscape area, and part of the range also holds UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, underscoring the international significance of the meadow ecosystems preserved here. Pod Hribovňou is one of many small but vital fragments in this mosaic of protected sites, together forming a corridor of habitat for pollinating insects, meadow birds, and rare plants.

What can visitors expect to see?

Visitors will mainly encounter an authentic, largely unaltered meadow landscape, without built tourist infrastructure, set against views of the rolling hills of the Kopanice countryside. Late spring and summer are the best times to see the meadows in flower, when a diverse mix of herbaceous plants comes into bloom. As with any protected reserve, visitors are expected to stay on existing paths and refrain from picking plants.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Pod Hribovňou located? South of the village of Vyškovec, in the Uherské Hradiště district, about 400 m northeast of the Hribovňa peak, in the Zlín Region of Czechia.

How large is the reserve? It covers approximately 6.6 hectares.

Why is this area protected? Because it preserves White Carpathian-type meadows with rare plant species, including one of the last known sites of yellow gentian.

Is Pod Hribovňou part of the White Carpathians? Yes, it lies within the Bílé Karpaty range, a protected landscape area that partly also holds UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.