Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area

Žďárské vrchy is a protected landscape area in the Czech Republic, stretching across the uplands of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, where the small village of Cikháj is also located. It is a region where nature and centuries of human activity sit side by side — forests and meadows border farmland and a dense network of ponds, while village architecture still shows traces of traditional Horácko-style folk building.

How did this landscape take shape?

The bedrock of the Žďárské vrchy Highland is made up of metamorphic rock, shaped over millions of years of erosion into distinctive rock groups — walls, towers, and small "rock cities" rising above flat, elevated ridges. This rock formation gives the region its recognizable, rugged character, quite different from the gentler lowland parts of the highland.

Why does water play such a central role here?

Žďárské vrchy sits on the main European watershed dividing the North Sea and Black Sea drainage basins, with numerous streams originating from its hills and flowing in opposite directions. Since the Middle Ages, local communities have used this dense network of small watercourses to build an extensive system of fishponds, which still shapes the region's landscape and water management today.

What makes this area ecologically valuable?

The most valuable parts of Žďárské vrchy are its peat-bogs and other wetland communities. Several types of wet meadows and mires occur here, typical of the higher elevations of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Botanical surveys in the region's protected sites have recorded 185 taxa of vascular plants, of which 24 are listed on the Czech red list of endangered species — a reflection of how sensitive and distinctive these ecosystems are.

What is there to see around Cikháj?

Cikháj, which lies within the protected landscape area, makes a good starting point for hikes through Žďárské vrchy. A nature trail near the village leads through the forest toward Žákova hora, one of the region's characteristic hills. Along the way, hikers can pass the Stříbrná studánka (Silver Well), a small, locally known spring that has long served as a landmark for those exploring the area on foot.

Who is this region for?

Žďárské vrchy suits travelers looking for quiet, low-key nature away from crowds — hikers, birdwatchers, and anyone interested in wetland plant life, as well as those who want to see rock formations and traditional rural architecture within the same landscape. It is a region where a short walk from a village like Cikháj can lead through forest, past a historic spring, and by a fishpond first established centuries ago.

Frequently asked questions

What is Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area? It is a protected landscape area in the Czech Republic, covering part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, known for its rock formations, peat-bogs, and traditional agricultural landscape.

Is Cikháj located within the protected area? Yes, this small village lies within the boundaries of Žďárské vrchy and serves as a good base for exploring the surrounding hills on foot.

What can be seen on the trail near Cikháj? A nature trail leads through the forest toward Žákova hora, passing the Stříbrná studánka (Silver Well) along the way.

Why does the region have so many ponds? The dense network of small streams along the North Sea–Black Sea watershed has been used since the Middle Ages to build fishponds for local communities.