PP Na bahně

Na bahně Nature Monument is a small but ecologically valuable protected area lying east of the village of Běleč nad Orlicí, in the Hradec Králové district, between Běleč and the town of Třebechovice pod Orebem. The site sits in the valley of the Orlice River and forms part of the Orlice Nature Park, a protected landscape corridor running along the river.

What is this place?

Na bahně preserves a stretch of the Orlice River's former channel — old meanders and oxbow remnants that, over time, turned into waterlogged meadows and peaty ground. The name itself, meaning roughly "in the mud," reflects the character of the terrain: a damp, periodically flooded area threaded with small pools and marshy depressions left behind by the river's earlier course.

Why was it protected?

The monument was established to protect a rich assemblage of wetland and meadow plant species typical of river-valley marshes. Parts of the site are covered by alder floodplain forest — woodland dominated by alder trees that thrives on ground regularly soaked by river water. Together, the mosaic of old channels, wet meadows, and alder stands creates a habitat of considerable biological diversity, increasingly rare in the intensively farmed Orlice valley.

What does the landscape look like?

The terrain is flat, typical of a lowland river's floodplain terrace. Wet meadows dominate, cut through by remnants of old riverbeds, in places overgrown with reeds and sedges, and elsewhere shaded by a belt of riverside alders. Depending on the season and water levels, the ground can be more or less waterlogged — after snowmelt or prolonged rain, parts of the meadows are temporarily flooded, which helps maintain the wetland character of the habitat.

How to get there?

The area lies right next to the village of Běleč nad Orlicí and is easily reached on foot or by bike from surrounding towns in the Hradec Králové region. Because the ground is marshy and can be soft underfoot, it's best to stick to marked paths, especially after rainfall.

What else is nearby?

Elsewhere in the same Orlice valley are other river-related protected sites, including former gravel and sand pits that have likewise become valuable habitats for waterfowl and wetland vegetation. The wider area around Běleč nad Orlicí and Třebechovice pod Orebem makes a good base for gentle lowland walking and cycling routes that follow the river.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Na bahně located? East of the village of Běleč nad Orlicí, between that village and Třebechovice pod Orebem, in the Orlice River valley in the Hradec Králové district.

Why is this site protected? Because of its rich wetland and meadow flora, and the preserved remnants of the river's old channel lined with alder floodplain forest.

Can visitors walk through the area? Yes, it's accessible on foot, though the ground is marshy in places, so it's advisable to keep to marked paths.

Is Na bahně part of a larger protected area? Yes, it belongs to the Orlice Nature Park, which covers a longer stretch of the river valley.