Szachownica Nature Reserve

Szachownica is an inanimate-nature reserve of 12.7 ha in the municipality of Lipie, in Kłobuck County. It protects the limestone hill of Krzemienna Góra and the system of passages of the cave of the same name. The reserve lies in the buffer zone of the Załęczański Landscape Park.

What the reserve protects

The reserve was established in 1978. Its aim is to protect a limestone hill covered with acidophilous lowland beech forest and the proglacial Szachownica cave. The cave system was uncovered during stone extraction, and Krzemienna Góra is cut from north to south by the working of a former quarry.

Bats in the cave

The cave is a site of mass winter hibernation of bats. For this reason the entrance to it is not for visiting. The area is under active protection and is managed by the Kłobuck Forest District (Wapiennik forestry).

Practical information

• Location: near Lipie, the hill of Krzemienna Góra; nearby is the Jan Zumbach 303 Museum (about 2 km).
• Check the rules of entry and any restrictions with the Kłobuck Forest District.
• Establish the access route and the waymarking with the manager of the reserve.