Solisko

Solisko is a small nature monument north of the village of Držková, in the Zlín district of the Czech Republic, set within the central part of the Hostýnské vrchy hills. The protected area covers just under 10 hectares, stretching across a south-facing slope at an elevation of roughly 580 to 720 metres, below a ridge known locally as U tří kamenů (747.7 m). The Solisko summit itself lies about a kilometre away, with the well-known hiking hub of Tesák around 3 kilometres further on.

What makes Solisko worth protecting?

The reserve was established to preserve a surviving patch of original Carpathian fir-beech forest — a remnant of the much larger fir-beech woodlands that once covered most of the Hostýnské vrchy before forestry practices replaced them with spruce plantations. Old-growth stands of this kind are now scarce across the region, which is why even a small area like Solisko carries outsized ecological value: it offers a glimpse of what the forest here looked like before large-scale human alteration.

What kind of forest grows here?

The stand is close to a natural composition, dominated by common beech with an admixture of silver fir — a pairing typical of the higher and mid-elevation parts of the Western Carpathians and their foothills. The age structure of the trees, including standing and fallen deadwood, favours species that depend on mature forest conditions, among them birds that need old, hollow-bearing trunks for nesting.

Why does this area matter for birds?

Solisko lies within the Hostýnské vrchy Bird Area (site code CZ0721024), one of the larger bird protection areas in this part of Moravia, covering more than 5,170 hectares in total. Conservation efforts here focus in particular on two species tied closely to old, largely undisturbed broadleaf forest: the white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) and the red-breasted flycatcher (Ficedula parva). Both depend on extensive, structurally rich woodland with abundant dead and decaying wood — precisely the conditions preserved at Solisko.

Who is this place for?

Solisko is not a conventional tourist attraction with visitor infrastructure; it appeals mainly to nature lovers and hikers looking for quieter, less-visited corners of the Hostýnské vrchy. The area around Držková has a network of trails and nature paths (including the NS Držkovské chodníčky educational trail), which makes it easy to combine a visit near the reserve with exploring other parts of the municipality. It will particularly interest visitors curious about forest ecology, birdwatching, and the landscape of the central Hostýnské vrchy.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Solisko located? North of the village of Držková in the Zlín district, on a south-facing slope below the U tří kamenů ridge, in the central part of the Hostýnské vrchy.

How large is the protected area? It covers just under 10 hectares.

What is being protected here? An original, near-natural fir-beech forest — a remnant of the once-extensive Carpathian woodlands in this region.

What wildlife can be found here? The site lies within the Hostýnské vrchy Bird Area, where conservation targets include the white-backed woodpecker and the red-breasted flycatcher.

Are there hiking trails through the area? Yes, the Držková area has a network of nature paths that allow visitors to explore this part of the Hostýnské vrchy on foot.