About this place
Skalské rašeliniště is a nature reserve located roughly one kilometer north of the village of Horní Město, in the Bruntál district of Moravia. Covering 45.50 hectares, the area was designated a protected reserve in 1970 and sits at an elevation between 662 and 748 meters above sea level.
What kind of peatland is protected here?
The reserve safeguards a transitional peatland that combines features of raised bog, mountain bog, and fen (mechowisko) habitats. This mixed character means that several distinct types of peatland vegetation coexist within a relatively small area, making the site valuable for habitat diversity. The peatland formed around several spring zones, which is why it is classified as an outflow-type spring peatland — researchers have identified around eleven significant water outflows within the reserve.
Why is this site ecologically significant?
Skalské rašeliniště hosts numerous protected plant species that thrive in its specific moisture and soil conditions. One particularly notable ecological fact is entomological: the reserve is the only known location in the entire Czech Republic where a certain northern-range weevil species occurs. Such an isolated population at the southern edge of its natural distribution makes the reserve a point of interest for researchers studying entomology and biogeography.
How is the reserve connected to the Rešov Waterfalls?
The peatland serves as the source of the Huntava stream. Water flowing out of this area travels further and, after approximately six kilometers, forms the highest waterfalls in Moravia — the Rešov Waterfalls, themselves protected as a national natural monument. This illustrates how a small, seemingly unspectacular peatland can shape the landscape kilometers away.
How can visitors reach Skalské rašeliniště?
The reserve lies close to the village of Horní Město, making it a relatively accessible starting point for tourists exploring the Rýmařov region. The surrounding area also offers other natural and historical attractions connected to the region's mining heritage and the underground workings near Skály.
Frequently asked questions
When was the reserve established? The area received protected status in 1970.
How large is the reserve? The protected area covers 45.50 hectares.
What is the main reason for protection? The reserve protects a transitional peatland combining raised bog, mountain bog, and fen characteristics, formed around numerous spring areas.
Can rare species be found here? Yes — the reserve is the only known Czech location for a northern-range weevil species, and it also hosts other protected plants.
What is the connection to the Rešov Waterfalls? The Huntava stream originates in the peatland and, after several kilometers, forms the highest waterfalls in Moravia.
At what elevation does the reserve lie? The area extends across elevations between 662 and 748 meters above sea level.
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