Rohovec

Rohovec is a small but remarkable nature monument located northeast of the village of Návsí in the Zaolzie region, on the Czech side of Cieszyn Silesia. The protected site covers a wooded slope belonging to the Jablunkovská Brázda hill range and is covered with coniferous forest. Despite its modest size of roughly 29 hectares, the site has attracted the attention of entomologists and nature lovers for decades.

Why is Rohovec protected?

Rohovec received legal protection in 1992, and the reason behind its designation is neither its landscape nor rare plant life, but ants. The site hosts one of the largest concentrations of red wood ant (Formica polyctena) nests in the northern Moravia region, and it ranks as the third-largest such colony in the entire Czech Republic. The species enjoys protected status because wood ants play a crucial ecological role: they help control populations of insects considered forest pests, aerate the soil, and assist in dispersing seeds of certain plant species.

What can visitors expect to find here?

At its peak, Rohovec was home to as many as around 400 large ant mounds, an impressive sight that made the site one of the most significant "ant cities" in this part of Europe. Unfortunately, the number of active nests has dropped dramatically over the years, falling from about 400 to only a few dozen — some sources put the current count at roughly 67 to 70 active mounds. This sharp decline has raised concern among conservation specialists, who continue to monitor the site and study the possible causes behind it.

The protected area itself is a quiet, shaded coniferous forest spread across the hillside. It's a place better suited to nature observation and a peaceful walk than to intensive tourism — there is no extensive visitor infrastructure, and the main reason to visit remains the chance to see the distinctive ant mounds, which are clearly visible among the forest floor litter on sunny days.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Rohovec located? The nature monument lies northeast of the village of Návsí, in the Czech part of Cieszyn Silesia, within the hill range known as Jablunkovská Brázda.

How large is the protected area? Rohovec covers approximately 29 hectares of coniferous forest on a hillside.

Why was this site placed under protection? Because of its exceptional concentration of red wood ant (Formica polyctena) nests — one of the largest in the northern Moravia region and the third-largest in the whole of the Czech Republic. Protection was established in 1992.

Has the number of ant nests at Rohovec changed over time? Yes, significantly. From around 400 large mounds at its peak, the number of active nests has fallen to only a few dozen, a trend that has raised concern among those monitoring the site.

Is Rohovec worth visiting? Rohovec appeals mainly to people interested in nature and entomology rather than to those seeking classic scenic viewpoints or marked hiking trails. It makes for an interesting addition to a trip around Návsí and Jablunkov for anyone wanting to see a rare natural phenomenon up close.