Pivonické skály, Nature reserve in Pohorská Ves, Czech Republic.

Pivonické skály is a 318.06-hectare nature reserve in the Novohradské hory mountains, declared in 2014. It lies at 736–936 m and is split into two parts: a smaller one between Žofínský prales and the Austrian border, and a larger one between the Pivonické skály hill (933 m) and Stříbrný vrch (941 m). Acidophilous and herb-rich beech forests and acidophilous spruce stands are protected.

Forests in the Novohradské hory were used more intensively from the second half of the 18th century; until then silver fir dominated with some beech, and spruce grew only on wet ground. Beech stands at Pivonické skály survived thanks to their hard-to-reach position and the Buquoy family's decision to exclude them from intensive management. The stands are not left to spontaneous development but managed under forestry plans, with clear-cutting and natural beech regeneration.

The reserve represents a mosaic of forest types that have developed naturally over time, each supporting different plant and animal communities. Visitors walking through notice how the vegetation changes as the terrain shifts and the altitude increases.

The reserve is now open to hikers and cyclists, having become more accessible in recent decades. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the rocky terrain is uneven and the slopes can be steep in places.

Silver fir (Abies alba) grows only very sparsely in the Pivonické skály complex, and the Fuchs' marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) was recorded in the spring-fed areas. The reserve's forests are not left to spontaneous development: they are managed according to forestry plans, with clear-cutting used for regeneration and natural beech seeding on suitable sites.