Čtyři palice

Four Palice Nature Reserve is a gneiss rock formation, modeled by frost weathering of rocks. It is surrounded by boulders with preserved forest stands. The three main rock formations, named Děvín, Paličatá and Tvrz, and a low rocky ridge, called Opomenutá, cover an area of ​​7.36 ha. They were declared nature reserves in 1990.

The largest rock Paličatá stands in the middle of the group. Its western wall, which is almost vertical and 30 m high, is terminated by 4 massive blocks - sticks. Their bottoms form overhangs and ceilings. The pedestal of the rock, which is 40 m high, consists of 3 massive pillars. It reaches a length of almost 50 m. At the top it is divided into 4 sticks. If you manage to conquer it, there will be a beautiful view of the valley of the Svratka River and the nearby peak of the Nine Rocks below you.
There is mostly spruce, beech, sometimes white fir, maple or mountain elm. On the rocks you can find a dwarf Scots pine. In the undergrowth, you will often come across black blueberries, sour sorrel, curlew and spiny fern. The rocks are overgrown with many species of lichens and mosses.

Invertebrates, such as ground beetles and arachnids, thrive here very well from the animal kingdom, and from common vertebrates, especially common toads, live-bearing lizards and brittle hens. The rare barn owl, the little flycatcher and the great raven have found their nest here.

A red tourist sign leading from Svratka will lead you to the rocks. On the way you pass the hunting lodge Karlštejn. It was built by Count Filip Kinský in 1776. It was here that the television series Četnické humoresky was filmed. From the chateau to the blue sign, through the Petrified chateau and Milovské perničky, you will reach the Four Sticks. Under the romantic name Petrified Castle, there is a rock formation surrounded by an embankment and a double rampart. Many families of the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages have found refuge here.

Author: Marie Bukovinská