Ve Vlčí

Ve Vlčí is a small but remarkably biodiverse nature reserve tucked against the southern edge of the village of Vyškovec, in the Uherské Hradiště district, right in the heart of the White Carpathians. The protected area covers 21.68 hectares and stretches across elevations of roughly 580 to 720 metres above sea level, close to the summit of Kykula (746 m), just a short distance from the border with Slovakia. The reserve lies within the Bílé Karpaty (White Carpathians) Protected Landscape Area, one of the most valuable natural regions in Moravia.

What can you find inside the reserve?

Ve Vlčí is a mosaic of pastures interspersed with scattered woodland, spread across varied and at times steep terrain. Within a relatively compact area, visitors encounter a striking range of habitats — from dry, sun-exposed grazing meadows to damper depressions in the ground, and shaded pockets covered by trees. This variety of microhabitats is what makes the site so species-rich, and it was precisely this diversity that led to the reserve being established in 1991.

Why is this reserve so ecologically important?

Ve Vlčí is regarded as one of the largest sites in the region to combine such a wide range of habitat types within a single protected area. It is this mosaic — dry pastures, wetter hollows, and shaded corners — that allows plant species with very different ecological needs to coexist side by side. The reserve is best known for its wealth of orchid species, and its flora also includes a number of other rare and endangered meadow plants typical of traditionally managed, extensively grazed mountain pastures.

When is the best time to visit?

The ideal time to visit is May, when most of the orchid species are in full bloom. This is when the site's biodiversity is at its most visible, with the meadows transformed into a colourful carpet of wildflowers.

How do you get to Ve Vlčí?

The reserve can be reached by local roads leading from Starý Hrozenkov through Vyškovec towards the Slovak border, with part of the route running directly through the protected area itself. An alternative approach is on foot from the Mikulčín hill, following the red-marked tourist trail along the Slovak border, over a pass below the Kykula summit, for a distance of about 3.5 kilometres.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Ve Vlčí reserve located? In the southern part of the village of Vyškovec, in the Uherské Hradiště district, right next to the border with Slovakia, within the Bílé Karpaty Protected Landscape Area.

How large is the reserve? It covers 21.68 hectares and was established in 1991.

What is the main natural attraction here? The exceptional diversity of orchids and other meadow plants, made possible by the mix of dry and wet habitats packed into a small area.

When is the best time to visit? In May, when the orchids are blooming and the meadows are at their most spectacular.

Is the reserve easy to reach? Yes — it can be accessed both by local roads from Starý Hrozenkov and via marked hiking trails, including the red trail from Mikulčín hill.