Šiberná

Šiberná is a protected forest area located southeast of the town of Kuřim, in the Brno-venkov district of the South Moravian region, roughly halfway between Kuřim and the village of Česká. The site covers a forested hill of the same name, reaching an elevation of 359 metres, with the lowest point of the protected area sitting around 320 metres. The nature monument covers a total area of 16.45 hectares.

Why is Šiberná protected?

Šiberná was declared a nature monument (přírodní památka) on 22 November 1990, with the protection taking legal effect on 10 December 1990. The designation was granted to preserve the original forest plant communities and the rare flora found on the hill, together with the other natural features characteristic of the site. Under the IUCN classification system, the area falls into category IV, meaning it is managed primarily for the conservation of specific habitats or species rather than left entirely untouched.

What kind of forest grows here?

The stand is dominated by sessile oak (Quercus petraea), with an admixture of small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica), while hazel forms part of the understorey. Although the original species diversity of the forest has been significantly reduced over time, the area still shelters a range of rare plant species — twelve of them enjoy special legal protection status in the Czech Republic.

What should visitors expect?

Šiberná is primarily a destination for nature lovers and quiet forest walks rather than a conventional tourist attraction with built infrastructure or lookout points. The site sits close to popular hiking routes connecting Kuřim with the surrounding villages, so it can easily be worked into a longer walking or cycling trip through the countryside north of Brno. Because it is a legally protected area, visitors should stick to marked paths and avoid disturbing the vegetation and wildlife.

How to get there?

The usual starting point for a visit is the town of Kuřim itself, located just north of Brno and well connected to the city by both road and rail. From the centre of Kuřim, the nature monument can be reached on foot or by bike, heading in the direction of the village of Česká. The trails in this area form part of a wider network of hiking routes serving the Kuřim microregion, popular with residents of Brno looking for a day trip out of the city.

Frequently asked questions

What is Šiberná? It is a nature monument — a small but ecologically valuable forested area on a hill near Kuřim, protected for its original forest communities and rare plant species.

How large is the protected area? The site covers 16.45 hectares, with elevations ranging from roughly 320 to 359 metres above sea level.

When did the protection come into force? It was formally designated on 22 November 1990, with legal effect from 10 December 1990.

Which trees dominate the forest? Mainly sessile oak, alongside small-leaved lime, Scots pine and European beech, with hazel in the understorey.

Can visitors walk through freely? Yes, but as a protected area, visitors are expected to keep to marked paths and respect local nature conservation rules.