Bílé Karpaty

Location

The southwest end of the Carpathian Mountain range, which includes the highlands and mountainous areas in the Moravian part of the White Carpathian Mountains in the regions of Zlín, Hodonín and Uherské Hradiště.

Area

71 000 ha

History

Proclaimed a protected area in 1980, since 1996 the UNESCO biosphere reserve

Altitude

180-970 m above sea level

Nature

The relief is formed by one, in some places two parallel mountain ridges with numerous sidelong ranges. The central part has a mountainous character, in some places the mountain range is split up with deep river valleys, sometimes reaching the depth of 500 m, which flow into the Váh River. The whole area consists of a few independent mountain groups (Radějovská Highland, Javořina, Lopeník, Javorník, Vršatec). On the Moravian side of the mountains there are no significant rock formations.

Rare and protected species

The territory is formed for hundreds of years and has a character of an extensive English park. The forest areas (45%) alternate flowery meadows with solitaire ragged oaks and beeches. It is unique in Europe. Due to the variety of the micro-relief, various species of flora reside in the White Carpathian Mountains, among them both steppe species and exclusively wet grounded. The gnat-flower species are the best-known here, the most significant among them being the bee orchids, the trident gnat-flower, the dark-winged the military and the common orchids. Also you can find here the bulbiferous lily, and the black hellebore. The black hellebore grows only in this area in Moravia and in the Slansko region in Bohemia. The northern lynx, the brown bear, the wildcat, the southern wood-pie, the red-breasted flycatcher, the redhead butcherbird, the black stork and the big raven are among the animal species that live here. You can also see the tree grass-snake or admire a large range of butterflies along with other insect species.

Nature interests
Čertoryje, Cestiska, Porážky, Hrčánky, Kaňoury, Mechnačky, Mravenčí louka (Ants meadow), Pod horou (Below the mountain), Pod Hribovňou (Under Hribovňa), Sviní hnízdo (Swine nest), Šumlatová, U Petrůvky, Vápenky, Za lesem (Behind the Forest), Sidonie, Ve Vlčí. You can get more information about the above mentioned places in the Administration Office of the NP.Main tourist centres Several larger towns, such as Uherské Hradiště, Uherský Brod, Hodonín and more distant Zlín, are located in the protected landscape area. They provide you with good accommodation and food services.