Vůznice (nature reserve)

Vůznice is a national nature reserve in the northern part of the Nižbor municipality, in the eastern section of the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area in Central Bohemia, Czech Republic. The reserve covers a deeply incised valley section of the Vůznice stream and its tributaries, spanning more than 231 hectares and stretching several kilometers along the streambed, with a width reaching several hundred meters at points.

What is being protected here?

The reserve safeguards forest communities typical of Central European foothill terrain, characteristic of the deeply cut valleys found throughout Křivoklátsko. The long-term conservation goal is to let the forest evolve toward a primeval, old-growth state — free of forestry intervention, allowing trees to age and decay naturally. This hands-off management approach makes Vůznice one of the region's more significant forest reserves, where ecological processes are meant to unfold without human interference.

The reserve was formally declared on October 11, 1984, placing it within Křivoklátsko's long tradition of nature protection — an area recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve for its exceptional combination of forests, river valleys, and historical sites.

What does the landscape look like?

The terrain is defined by a deep, narrow valley carved by the Vůznice stream into the rocky bedrock typical of the Křivoklátsko region. Steep slopes are covered with deciduous and mixed forest, while the stream itself meanders along the valley floor, creating a microclimate favorable to rarer plant and animal species associated with damp, shaded ravines. This kind of terrain is characteristic of the broader Křivoklátsko range, where numerous streams have carved a network of deep valleys over thousands of years.

Can visitors explore the reserve?

Access to Vůznice is restricted to marked tourist trails only — chiefly the route leading to the ruins of Jenčov Castle and its immediate surroundings. Most of the reserve's territory remains off-limits to visitors, a measure intended to shield the forest from tourist pressure and allow it to develop naturally toward a primeval state. Visitors are expected to stay strictly on the marked paths rather than venturing off into the valley.

How do you get to the reserve?

The southern part of the area can be reached by roughly a one-kilometer climb from the Nižbor train station, making rail travel a convenient option for visitors without a car. Alternatively, buses from Beroun also serve the area, with the Nižbor, Šnárová stop being the most convenient starting point for the approach to the protected area on foot.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors walk freely off the marked trails in Vůznice? No. Because the reserve's goal is to reach a primeval forest state, movement is permitted only along designated tourist routes, primarily toward Jenčov Castle.

How large is the Vůznice reserve? It covers more than 231 hectares and extends several kilometers along the Vůznice stream valley.

Since when has this area been protected? The reserve was established on October 11, 1984.

What's the best way to reach the reserve without a car? Take the train to Nižbor station and walk about one kilometer uphill, or take a bus from Beroun to the Nižbor, Šnárová stop.