Skalák u Senotína

Skalák u Senotína is a small nature reserve located right next to the village of Senotín, in the Nová Bystřice municipality in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. The site forms part of the Česká Kanada landscape protected area and covers roughly 14 hectares at an elevation of 662 to 670 metres above sea level. The reserve was established by a decree of the Jindřichův Hradec District Office in 2002.

What is inside the reserve?

At the heart of the protected area lies the Skalák pond, an oligotrophic-to-mesotrophic body of water surrounded by a patchwork of habitats typical of the South Bohemian landscape: wetlands, peat bogs, heathland, and dry pastures dotted with rocky outcrops. This mix of environments packed into a small area allows species tied to open water to coexist with plants and animals adapted to dry, nutrient-poor ground.

A narrow-gauge railway connecting Jindřichův Hradec with Nová Bystřice runs directly through the protected area — one of the last operating narrow-gauge lines in the Czech Republic. For travellers riding it, passing through the Skalák area offers a close-up view of a landscape that otherwise remains largely inaccessible by road.

Why is the site protected?

The main purpose of protection is to preserve the reserve's specific water regime and soil conditions, which sustain a high level of species diversity in both the meadow ecosystem and the pond itself. Among the most threatened species found here is the white water lily (Nymphaea candida), a rare aquatic plant that depends on clean, nutrient-poor water.

Despite its modest size, the reserve forms an important part of the Česká Kanada network of protected areas — a region known for its largely unspoiled landscape, historic fishponds, and mosaic of forests.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Skalák u Senotína located? The reserve lies right next to the village of Senotín, near the town of Nová Bystřice, in the Jindřichův Hradec district of the South Bohemian Region.

How large is the reserve? The protected area covers approximately 14 hectares, at an elevation of 662 to 670 metres above sea level.

When was the reserve established? Skalák u Senotína was designated in 2002 by decree of the Jindřichův Hradec District Office.

What is the main reason for protecting this site? Protection focuses on the specific water regime of the Skalák pond and its surrounding wetland and meadow habitats, home to the rare white water lily among other species.

Can it be reached by train? Yes — the historic narrow-gauge railway between Jindřichův Hradec and Nová Bystřice runs through the reserve, offering views of the area from the train.