Podyjí National Park, National park in South Moravia, Czech Republic
Podyjí National Park is a protected area in the Znojmo District of South Moravia, where a narrow valley follows the Czech-Austrian border for several kilometers. The landscape shows steep wooded hillsides dropping toward the riverbed, interrupted by rock outcrops and small clearings where grasses and wildflowers grow.
The area became a national park in 1991 after decades as a military buffer zone along the border with the West. This long isolation helped nature recover without much human interference and allowed many rare species to survive.
The name comes from the Dyje River, which carves through the heart of the area and shapes the daily rhythm of wildlife along its banks. Visitors often notice abandoned stone terraces and overgrown vineyard walls that hint at how local families once farmed these steep slopes.
The best time to visit is between spring and autumn when trails are dry and easier to walk and vegetation is at its fullest. Most paths lead over uneven ground with some steep sections, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
The border between the Czech Republic and Austria runs through the middle of the river valley, so hikers often cross from one country to the other without noticing. Rangers on both sides work together to protect rare bird species like the black stork, which nests in quiet stretches of the river.
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