Velký Špičák (national nature reserve)

Velký Špičák is a national nature reserve about 3–4 km from the small town of Třešť, in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands (Vysočina region). The protected area covers a rocky summit, its surrounding slopes and a ridge stretching toward the nearby hill of Velký Javoří (679 m), with a total area of just under 46 hectares. The reserve was established back in 1964, making it one of the older protected areas in the region.

What is there to see?

Velký Špičák was set aside primarily to protect near-natural stands of fir-beech forest and maple woodland — a rare surviving example of the original forest communities once typical of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, before most surrounding woods were converted to spruce monocultures. Beech dominates the canopy alongside silver fir and spruce, while the steeper slopes are covered mainly by sycamore maple and Norway maple, along with common ash and wych elm. A botanical curiosity is the presence of pedunculate oak and common hornbeam, species rarely found at this elevation.

The forest floor supports a rich herb layer. In spring, visitors can spot perennial honesty, wild garlic (ramsons) and snowdrops, while the shrub layer includes the protected and poisonous Daphne mezereum. Dead wood from old trees hosts rare wood-decaying fungi, which in turn makes the forest a valuable habitat for insects and birds tied to old-growth timber.

How to get there?

The most convenient way to reach the reserve is on foot from Třešť, along a route of roughly 4 km. Marked hiking trails — blue and green — cross the reserve itself, allowing visitors to explore its interior without leaving the designated paths, which matters here since the area is under strict nature protection. The summit and the ridge toward Velký Javoří also offer pleasant views over the gently rolling countryside of the Highlands.

When is the best time to visit?

The reserve is most rewarding in spring, when the forest floor is in bloom and the honesty, wild garlic and snowdrops are easiest to spot. In autumn, the beech-fir forest turns warm shades of gold and brown, adding extra visual appeal to a walk along the marked trails. In summer, the dense canopy provides welcome shade, which is worth keeping in mind for longer hikes around Třešť.

What should you know before visiting?

Because Velký Špičák is a national nature reserve, leaving the marked trails, picking plants or mushrooms, and disturbing wildlife are all prohibited. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended, as the terrain is rocky and uneven in places. There is no significant tourist infrastructure right at the site, so it is best to bring water and food from Třešť before setting out.

Frequently asked questions

How far is the reserve from Třešť? About 3–4 km on foot from the town, heading toward the Velký Javoří hill.

What makes this reserve special? It protects one of the few surviving fragments of original fir-beech forest typical of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, with a rich herb layer and rare fungi species.

Do hiking trails run through the reserve? Yes, marked blue and green trails cross the area, letting visitors legally explore its interior.

When is the best time to go? Spring, for the blooming forest floor (honesty, wild garlic, snowdrops), and autumn, when the beech leaves turn golden.