U Hamrů

U Hamrů is a small but ecologically valuable nature monument located right next to the village of Štěpánov nad Svratkou, in the Žďár nad Sázavou district of the Vysočina Region in the Czech Republic. Covering just 3.18 hectares, the protected area falls within the cadastral territory of Borovec and is administered by the Vysočina Regional Authority.

Where exactly is U Hamrů located?

The monument occupies steep, south and southwest-facing slopes rising between 360 and 460 metres above sea level, on the left bank of the Svratka River. To the east, the terrain is dominated by the hill of Sokolí, which reaches 625 metres. The bedrock here is quartz-based, and combined with the sun-exposed southern orientation, it has created ideal conditions for xerothermic vegetation — plant communities adapted to dry, warm sites.

Why was this area protected?

The slopes of U Hamrů were once used as pastures, and after grazing ceased, they retained a species-rich grassland vegetation that is now the main reason for the site's protection. The goal is to preserve these herb-rich grass communities together with the populations of specially protected species found here. Among the most notable are the lesser butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia), a delicate white-flowered orchid, and the crossed gentian (Gentiana cruciata), a plant typical of dry xerothermic grasslands. Common juniper also grows across the site, a shrub characteristic of this type of habitat.

Xerothermic grasslands of this kind are a disappearing habitat type in the Czech Republic, since their survival depends on traditional land management such as grazing or mowing. Sites like U Hamrů therefore play an important role in preserving the biodiversity of the Vysočina region.

How can visitors explore the area around U Hamrů?

An educational trail called "Štěpánovský čtyřlístek" (the Štěpánov Four-Leaf Clover) passes through the surroundings of the reserve. The route leads past the U Hamrů natural monument, continues around the remains of former mining sites in the vicinity, and heads toward the village of Švařec before crossing the areas known as Brťoví and Čtyři Dvory, eventually looping back to Štěpánov. The trail offers a chance to appreciate not only the natural values of this corner of Vysočina but also the traces of historical mining activity that once shaped the local landscape.

Given its small size and protected status, U Hamrů is a destination better suited to nature and botany enthusiasts than to visitors looking for extensive tourist infrastructure — there are no viewpoints or designated rest areas beyond the educational trail itself. The best time to visit is spring and early summer, when the orchids and gentians are in bloom, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the unique character of these steep, sun-facing slopes above the Svratka River.

Frequently asked questions

What is U Hamrů? It is a 3.18-hectare nature monument protecting xerothermic grasslands on slopes above the Svratka River, near Štěpánov nad Svratkou.

Which plant species can be found here? The most notable species are the lesser butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia) and the crossed gentian (Gentiana cruciata), along with common juniper.

How can you reach U Hamrů? The site lies next to Štěpánov nad Svratkou and can be accessed via the "Štěpánovský čtyřlístek" educational trail, which also passes former mining areas nearby.

Who manages the site? The nature monument is administered by the Vysočina Regional Authority (Krajský úřad Kraje Vysočina).