Draplavý Nature Reserve is one of those quietly remarkable places where the Moravian-Silesian Beskids reveal their ancient, untouched soul. Tucked away about two kilometres northeast of the church in Staré Hamre, it protects one of the last surviving fragments of original old-growth silver fir and beech forest in this part of the Carpathians.

Most of the reserve is covered by secondary spruce plantations, but along the steep banks of the stream you will find something truly special — a pocket of primeval forest that has never been cleared. The atmosphere here is dense and timeless: mossy trunks, a lush herb layer carpeted with sweet woodruff, mountain dead-nettle and dog's mercury, and the constant murmur of water below. In spring the forest floor turns vivid green, in summer it offers cool shade, and in autumn the mix of spruce, fir and beech creates a rich tapestry of colour.

How to get there

• Staré Hamre (church) — forest path approx. 2 km northeast, difficulty: moderate

Practical information

• The reserve is a protected natural area — please stay on marked paths and avoid disturbing wildlife
• Draplavý is an important nesting site for rare bird species including the red-breasted flycatcher, black stork and stock dove

If you are a birdwatcher, keep your binoculars handy — the combination of old-growth remnants and dense spruce forest makes Draplavý one of the best spots in the Beskids for spotting the elusive black stork.