Skočický hrad, Nature reserve in Skočice, Czech Republic
Skočický hrad is a nature reserve located on two hilltops at roughly 667 meters elevation, containing natural beech forests and mixed deciduous woodland across the South Bohemian landscape. The protected area covers thickly forested slopes and summit ridges with diverse hardwood vegetation.
The site gained protected status on December 1, 1985, securing the preservation of natural forest vegetation across its summit areas. This designation came after archaeological discoveries in the 1940s that revealed evidence of ancient settlement on the location.
The reserve protects one of the last natural beech forests found in the Strakonice area, representative of the old woodland character of South Bohemia. This vegetation type has nearly disappeared from the wider region due to past land use changes.
Access to the reserve comes through marked hiking trails that remain passable year-round and lead around the Hrad summit and into the surrounding woodland. Routes can be combined to create different paths depending on visitor preference and fitness level.
Archaeological finds from the 1940s uncovered bronze objects indicating early human presence at the site. Stone structures on nearby Kolo hill remain visible today, showing signs of prehistoric settlement patterns in the area.
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