Karlův hvozd, Nature reserve near Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.

Karlův hvozd is a nature reserve in Karlovy Vary within the Slavkovský les Protected Landscape Area. It consists of eight parts separated by roads and other forest stands, all on steep slopes above the Teplá River valley and the right bank of the Ohře. Nearly 90 percent of its 126.7 hectares is acidophilous beech forest with abundant dead wood.

The reserve's declaration was drafted by the Slavkovský les Protected Landscape Area administration in 2018, then revised with new boundaries. It was named Karlův hvozd after Charles IV, founder of Karlovy Vary. The Karlovy Vary regional authority declared it with effect from 12 June 2022, with support from the spa forests, the Nature and Landscape Protection Agency and the city.

The reserve's name honours Charles IV, founder of Karlovy Vary, and was chosen when the area was declared in 2022. The protected zone lies in the centre of the spa forests, which are crossed by a network of paths and roads used by walkers from the town.

The reserve's eight parts lie on steep, hard-to-reach slopes above the Teplá valley and the right bank of the Ohře, so access is on foot only. The area sits in the centre of the Karlovy Vary spa forests, which are crossed by a network of paths and roads.

The reserve's old-growth stands are a habitat for the lesser spotted flycatcher (Ficedula parva) and the stock dove (Columba oenas), while tree roosts suit the noctule, soprano pipistrelle and Leisler's bat. The grey-headed woodpecker (Picus canus) depends on uprooted trees. Almost 90 percent of the area is acidophilous beech forest dominated by Fagus sylvatica.