Ptačí Kupy, Nature reserve in Hejnice, Czech Republic.
Ptačí Kupy is a nature reserve near Hejnice situated at an elevation of 1013 meters, characterized by exposed granite rock formations and dense forest cover dominated by beech and spruce. The vegetation forms a continuous canopy around these rocky outcrops, creating a unified woodland landscape with distinct geological features.
The area was placed under protection in 1960 by the Ministry of Education and Culture and officially designated as a nature reserve in 1965. These measures reflected a growing effort to preserve the forest ecosystems and geological features of this mountain region.
The name comes from medieval bird-catching practices that were once common in this mountain region. Visitors walking through the area can still sense how people historically interacted with this natural space.
Access to the observation point is only on foot using clearly marked trails that connect through the surrounding Jizera Mountains. Wear sturdy footwear and prepare for variable mountain weather conditions that occur throughout the year.
The northern slopes hold one of the most extensive acidic beech forest formations in the entire Jizera Mountains. This rare woodland type spread across such a large area makes this reserve botanically exceptional.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
