U Hajnice

U Hajnice is a small but ecologically significant nature reserve tucked into the forest on the northern slopes of Mount Běleč (923 m), right next to the village of Libotyně, part of the municipality of Radhostice in the Prachatice district of South Bohemia, Czech Republic. Covering just 0.46 hectares, it is one of the smallest protected areas in the region — yet its importance for safeguarding a rare plant species far outweighs its modest size.

Why is this site protected?

The reserve was established in 1992 to protect a small, naturally treeless clearing within the surrounding forest. This open patch preserves the exact habitat conditions needed by Malaxis monophyllos, a rare orchid species known in the Czech Republic from only a handful of scattered locations. It was the presence of this plant that led to the site being designated a national nature monument.

Where exactly is it located?

The site sits roughly one kilometer south of the village of Libotyně, within forest covering the northern slopes of Mount Běleč. Its location, away from major tourist routes and larger settlements, has helped the area retain the natural character needed to support species sensitive to changes in their habitat.

Who manages the reserve?

U Hajnice falls under the care of the Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic, specifically the regional office responsible for the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area. This administration monitors the population of the protected orchid and works to maintain suitable habitat conditions, including preventing natural forest succession that could otherwise close over the open clearing and eliminate the species it was created to protect.

What should visitors know before going?

U Hajnice is a destination for nature and botany enthusiasts rather than a conventional tourist attraction — it has no visitor infrastructure or marked educational trails. Given its small size and protected status, visitors should stay on existing paths, avoid entering the sensitive clearing, and take care not to disturb the delicate balance of the habitat. The surrounding Radhostice and Prachatice area offers a quiet, rural landscape typical of the foothills of the Šumava mountains, with gentle hills and forest stretching in every direction.

Frequently asked questions

What is U Hajnice? It is a national nature monument covering 0.46 hectares, protecting the habitat of the rare orchid Malaxis monophyllos.

Where is U Hajnice located? About one kilometer from the village of Libotyně, part of the municipality of Radhostice in the Prachatice district, on the northern slopes of Mount Běleč.

When was the reserve established? In 1992.

Who manages the site? The Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic, through the office responsible for the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area.

Is there tourist infrastructure on site? No — it is a small nature reserve without developed facilities, focused on species protection rather than mass tourism.