Holý kopec is one of the most precious woodland reserves in the Chřiby Hills — a place where a Carpathian beech forest grows almost untouched, full of rare plants, butterflies and ancient echoes. Spread across 92 hectares around a 548-metre summit, it feels like stepping into a forest that time forgot.

The atmosphere here is quietly enchanting. Tall old beeches cover the slopes, with oaks joining in on the sunnier southern flanks and maples adding warm colour in autumn. In spring, carpets of snowdrops emerge on the forest floor, and if you are lucky you might spot the tau emperor moth — a rare and striking butterfly that is surprisingly common here in the warmer months. The exposed rocky outcrops near the summit carry another layer of history: they once formed part of a prehistoric hillfort from the late Bronze Age. This is genuinely one of the few spots in the Chřiby range with the potential to evolve into a true old-growth ecosystem.

• Buchlov area (approx. 1800 m west of Buchlov summit) — hiking trails in the surroundings, moderate difficulty

• Protected nature reserve — please stay on marked paths and do not pick any plants
• Snowdrops, the tau emperor moth and fire salamander are all protected species
• Best seasons: spring for wildflowers and butterflies, autumn for beech foliage colours

Keep an eye on damp forest paths — the fire salamander is a resident here, its bold yellow-spotted coat a vivid reminder of just how wild and healthy this little forest remains.