About this place
Strabišov-Oulehla is a national nature reserve located in the municipality of Kunkovice, in the Kroměříž district, on the western slopes of the Chřiby range. It is the only site holding national nature reserve status anywhere in the Kroměříž region, a fact that alone sets it apart on the natural map of Moravia.
What exactly does the reserve protect?
Covering a total of 69.7 hectares, the reserve consists of two sections: Oulehla, protected since 1953, and Strabišov, protected since 1956. It was established to preserve sun-exposed slopes carrying species-rich dry grasslands, alongside patches of hornbeam-oak forest growing on loess subsoil. It is precisely this juxtaposition of warmth-loving grassland and shaded woodland communities packed into a small area that gives the site its exceptional biodiversity.
Why is this a haven for orchid enthusiasts?
Strabišov-Oulehla ranks among the richest orchid sites in Moravia. Among the species growing here is the lady's-slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), one of Europe's most striking and strictly protected orchids, instantly recognizable by its slipper-shaped bloom. That is not the only reason botanists make the trip, however: the reserve is also the only known site in the Zlín region for the critically endangered three-toothed orchid. The presence of this species alone gives the reserve a significance that reaches well beyond the immediate area.
What kind of landscape awaits visitors?
The terrain forms a mosaic of sun-baked, dry slopes interwoven with shaded forest patches. Xerothermic grasslands — vegetation communities typical of warm, dry habitats — sit directly alongside hornbeam-oak woodland shaped by the underlying loess, a fertile but erosion-prone soil that further influences local growing conditions. This contrast between habitats, compressed into such a small territory, is the main reason so many rare and protected species coexist here.
Where exactly is Strabišov-Oulehla?
The reserve lies southwest of Kroměříž, within the cadastral area of Kunkovice, a small foothill village of around 80 inhabitants situated at the western foot of the Chřiby range. Its approximate coordinates are 49.1735°N, 17.2051°E. Its proximity to Kunkovice and the neighboring village of Chvalnov-Lísky makes the reserve easy to reach for anyone traveling through the Kroměříž or Zlín regions.
Frequently asked questions
What sets Strabišov-Oulehla apart from other protected areas in the region? It is the only site holding national nature reserve status in the entire Kroměříž district, distinguishing it from the many lower-ranking protected areas nearby.
Which plant species are the most valuable here? The most notable are orchids — the lady's-slipper orchid and the three-toothed orchid, for which this is the only known site in the Zlín region.
When were the two sections of the reserve placed under protection? The Oulehla section has been protected since 1953, and the Strabišov section since 1956.
How large is the reserve? The two sections together cover 69.7 hectares.
Near which village is the reserve located? It lies within the municipality of Kunkovice, close to Chvalnov-Lísky, southwest of Kroměříž.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.