U doutné skály

U doutné skály is a nature reserve stretched across steep, rocky slopes directly below Bítov Castle in the Znojmo district of southern Moravia. Covering 24.41 hectares and protected since 1999, the reserve sits at an elevation of 345 to 465 metres and takes in the right-hand valley slope of the Želetavka river just above its confluence with the Dyje — both rivers backed up by the waters of the Vranov reservoir.

Why was this area protected?

The reserve was established to safeguard relatively natural forest stands featuring fir and relict pine woods, a combination rarely found in such good condition elsewhere in the region today. The steep, rocky slopes facing south, southwest and north created conditions in which the forest survived largely untouched, escaping the intensive forestry management applied to the surrounding countryside.

What is there to see on site?

The landscape is dominated by steep, wooded slopes dropping toward the Dyje and Želetavka rivers, punctuated by rock outcrops and viewpoints over Bítov Castle and the river valley. In the 19th century, the Daun family, then owners of Bítov, laid out a designed forest park here, complete with walking paths, lookout points over the river and castle, and a handful of small memorial structures. Several of these survive today, including the castle spring known as the Burgquelle, marked by a statue of the Lourdes Madonna, a Daun family memorial monument, and a small structure known as the Red Chapel — reminders of the romantic approach to landscape typical of the era's aristocracy.

What wildlife lives in the reserve?

The forest's natural character, together with old, decaying fir trees, supports numerous beetle species tied to different stages of wood decomposition — several of them rare and endangered, dependent on exactly this kind of lightly altered woodland. In the tree canopy, visitors may spot or hear insectivorous birds typical of old-growth forest: black woodpecker, other woodpecker species, treecreeper and tits. It is this variety of microhabitats — from sun-baked rock faces to damp, shaded ravines — that accounts for the species richness packed into this small but valuable patch of nature.

How to get to U doutné skály?

The reserve borders Bítov Castle directly, one of the most visited historic sites in southern Moravia, making it a natural add-on to any visit to the area. Paths running along the slopes let visitors combine a nature walk with views of the castle and of the Dyje and Želetavka waters, dammed into the Vranov reservoir.

Frequently asked questions

Are there marked hiking trails through the reserve? The area is crossed by paths from the historic landscape park laid out by the Daun family, leading to former viewpoints and memorial structures near the castle.

What is the reserve's main natural value? Well-preserved, naturally occurring forest stands of fir and relict pine on steep, rocky slopes, providing habitat for rare beetles and insectivorous birds.

Is it worth combining a visit with Bítov Castle? Yes — the reserve lies right below the castle, so walking its paths naturally complements a visit to the historic site and its river valley views.

When was the reserve granted protected status? The 24.41-hectare area has been protected since 1999.