Rybníky

Rybníky is a small nature reserve in the municipality of Kozlovice, next to the hamlet of Měrkovice, in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It sits between the villages of Kozlovice and Tichá, roughly 4 km south of Frýdek-Místek, at the foot of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids. This is a destination for visitors drawn to quiet, largely untouched nature rather than built attractions — there are no viewpoints or facilities here, just damp forest and wetland meadows.

What is the Rybníky nature reserve?

The protected area covers 7.32 hectares and was designated a nature reserve in 1990. The terrain ranges between 384 and 419 metres above sea level, forming a gently undulating patch of foothill landscape. The name refers to a former pond that has since become largely overgrown and turned into a wetland.

What can visitors see there?

At the core of the reserve is a small forest surrounding a wetland meadow and an overgrown former pond. This mosaic of forest, peat meadow, and remnants of standing water is what gives the site its ecological value. Sedges and club-rush dominate the peat meadows, while the wetter sections support round-leaved sundew, marsh thistle, and broad-leaved marsh orchid (a species of the genus Dactylorhiza). The reserve is also home to spurge-laurel, a poisonous but protected plant valued for its rarity. The surrounding forest is made up mainly of oak, linden, birch, and alder, with some patches of planted spruce and pine.

Why is it worth a visit?

Rybníky is one of several small but ecologically valuable protected sites around Frýdek-Místek — the same cadastral area is also home to the Pod Hukvaldskou oborou natural monument. For visitors, this means the reserve can easily be combined with a longer walk through the surrounding hills and forests of the Beskids. The site is reachable on foot via marked hiking trails, including routes toward Frenštát pod Radhoštěm, signposted with yellow and green markers.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Rybníky reserve located? Between the villages of Kozlovice and Tichá, in the municipality of Kozlovice, about 4 km south of Frýdek-Místek, in the Moravian-Silesian Region.

How large is the protected area? The reserve covers 7.32 hectares, at an elevation of 384 to 419 metres above sea level.

Since when has the area been protected? It was granted nature reserve status in 1990.

What is the main ecological value of this site? A mosaic of forest, wetland peat meadow, and an overgrown former pond, home to rare plants such as sundew, broad-leaved marsh orchid, and spurge-laurel.

Are there hiking trails through the reserve? Yes, marked trails cross the area, including routes heading toward Frenštát pod Radhoštěm.