Moravian Karst Mountains

Address: Moravian Karst (near Blansko), South Moravian Region, Czech Republic

Hours: Open year-round; cave tours operate seasonally

Admission: Natural area/free to visit; show caves (e.g., Punkva Caves) are ticketed

The Moravian Karst is a protected karst landscape in the South Moravian Region known for its limestone caves, gorges and sinkholes. It is the Czech Republic’s most extensive karst area and a major caving and nature destination.

The region offers several show caves with walkways and exhibitions, most notably the Punkva Caves with an underground river and the surface Macocha Abyss sinkhole. Trails, lookout platforms and guided cave tours let visitors explore caves, dolines and limestone gorges across the reserve.

The karst features formed over geological time by the dissolution of limestone and have been explored and scientifically studied since the 19th century. Parts of the area have been protected as nature reserves to preserve cave systems and endemic wildlife.

Located roughly 20 km north of Brno, the Moravian Karst spreads over a compact area of the South Moravian countryside and is served by local roads from Brno and surrounding towns.

• Cave boat trip: Boat trips in the Punkva Caves follow a short subterranean river and are included on the standard guided tour circuit.
• Visitor conditions: Wear sturdy shoes and expect cool, damp conditions inside caves; seasonal closures or restricted access can occur during maintenance.

What to See#

• Punkva Caves: Punkva Caves are a show-cave complex featuring an underground river and a guided boat section that runs beneath the cave system.
• Macocha Abyss: The Macocha Abyss is a steep-sided sinkhole with viewing platforms above a vertical drop of about 138 metres and is the highlight for many visitors to the karst area.

The Moravian Karst region is north of Brno, near the town of Blansko, roughly 20-30 km from Brno (about a 25-35 minute drive depending on exact destination in the karst area).

From Brno take a regional train to Blansko (around 20-30 minutes) and then local buses or taxis to the main show caves (Macocha Abyss, Punkva Caves) and trailheads; walking distances from local stops vary from a few hundred metres to a couple of kilometres depending on the site.

• Book the Punkva Caves (boat) tour in advance and arrive at the visitor centre early-the underground boat passages and scheduled cave tours have limited daily slots that fill up in high season.
• Plan to include the Macocha Abyss viewing points and the surface walking trails; many visitors rush the caves and miss the dramatic gorge viewpoints and marked hiking routes above.
• Visit on a weekday or outside July-August to avoid coach-group peaks; the main cave complexes are busiest midday when multiple tours overlap.