Cisy Nature Reserve in Huta Stara

The Cisy Nature Reserve in Huta Stara is a small forest and floristic reserve in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, on the upper Warta, south of the village of Mysłów in the Koziegłowy municipality. It was established in 1957 to protect a natural stand of common yew. It takes its name from the village of Stara Huta.

Yews in a damp forest

The common yew is strictly protected. In the reserve it grows in a damp mixed forest with Scots pine, spruce, black alder and sessile oak. The yews are heavily branched, have a shrubby look and stay green all year. In 1988 about 80 specimens about 90 years old were counted here, and in 2014 the population was described as medium-sized and made up of 51 individuals.

Terrain and size

The reserve is a partial one. It originally covered 1.70 ha, and a 1963 order enlarged it to 2.07 ha; other sources also give a total area of 2.92 ha. It lies in the Koziegłówki forest district, in undulating terrain full of streams and wetlands.

Nearby

Cycling routes run in the neighbourhood: from Siewierz to Myszków (black markings) and from Myszków to Poraj (blue markings). Not far away, by the road from Pińczyce to Koziegłowy, a car park has been set aside. In Pińczyce there is a palace, and in Koziegłowy a castle.

Practical information

• Access: the Pińczyce - Koziegłowy road, with a car park near the reserve.
• An information board for the reserve stands at the entrance.
• The reserve is protected, so do not leave the paths and do not damage the trees.