The value of the nature in the Czech-Moravian Highlands is best illustrated by the fact that great numbers of areas have been declared as protected sites.
The mountain Zakova hora is the leading nature reserve in this area, however, it is not only reservation. Mohelanska step is a reservation with typical low plant vegetaton on the serpentine substrate, which is unique for this area.
Cesko- moravska Vrchovina (Czech-moravian highlands) is a beautiful countryside lying between Bohemia and Moravia. This region is very attractive for people looking for sporting opportunities - for mountain climbers, Zdar nad Sazavou is a gateway to the climbing area of Sazava valley, walkers can start from here on routes to Zdar's highlands, and hunters can experience the rich fauna in the area. Mountain hikers will find pleasure in the Czech-Moravian highlands in the west of the region, which expands to the interior and slopes down to Brno.
Rivers Sazava and Svratka look very romantic among the hills of the Czech-moravian highlands and are full of fish. There are many historical towns in the region like Trebic, Jihlava, Humpolec or Zdar nad Sazavou and the beautiful countryside starts right behind those towns in nearly villages.
Horacko - The Ecological region
The Horacko Region is located in the Czech-Moravian Highlands between the towns of Trebic, Namest nad Oslavou and Velke Mezirici. The Region is designated as ecological for following reasons. The Region has land in common with the Trebicsko Natural Park. There are no large industrial plants or highways. None of the sites have more than 1,200 inhabitants. There a re many natural features that form attractive landscapes in the Region. The higher than average altitude assures a good climate.
The project of the region began on January 6, 1999 in Budisov and it was agreed on February 12, 1999 in Vladislav. The charter of the Region was validated at a meeting in Budisov on April 21, 1999.
The Zdarske Vrchy Area
This consists of an area of 715 km2. The national nature reserves of Velke Darko, Stare Ransko, Zakova hora, Radostinske raseliniste and Ranska bahna belong to this region. Besides a number of ponds, this water-rich area also has many peat bogs and wetlands. Many marsh and water plants grow in these areas; from beautiful water and pond lilies to sedge. The most important peat beds are protected nature reserves. The sources of rivers which flow in two directions are in Zdarske vrchy (European watershed). The Sazava, Chrudimka and Doubrava r ivers flow northwards to the North Sea and the Svratka, Bobruvka and Oslava rivers run in a southerly direction towards the Black Sea. Popular ponds include Velke Darko, Medlovsky rybnik, Sykovec and others.