The remnant of primeval forest is located between the municipalities of Mníšek nad Hnilcom and Smolnícka Huta, above the settlement of Smolnícka Píla. It lies in the valley of a tributary of the Smolnícky Creek below Zbojnícka skala peak (1147 m above sea level). The elevation range at the site is 580–740 m. The area covers 14 ha.
Part of the primeval forest remnant preserves very fine, extremely acidophilous beech forests with a diverse tree composition. Alongside beech, silver fir is more prominent here, while sessile oak occurs on the ridges. Norway spruce, Scots pine, European larch, small-leaved lime, rowan, sycamore maple and wych elm also occur as admixtures. The remaining part of the area contains a fine example of a fertile fir–beech forest with numerous large trees. There are also many streams and springs at the site.
Traces of management (old stumps) occur only near the valley, where selective interventions were carried out in the past.
The site is under the 1st degree of protection (out of five possible), meaning that it is effectively not subject to any protection. Since it is one of the few preserved fragments of natural forests in the Volovské vrchy Mountains, the site deserves immediate protection.
The Zbojnícka dolina valley primeval forest remnant was included in the new Pralesy Slovenska Nature Reserve, which takes effect on 1 December 2021. The reserve will cover 30.26 ha and the 5th degree of protection will apply, which in practice means a non-intervention regime.
No hiking trail passes directly through the site; however, the vicinity of the site can be reached via the blue-marked hiking trail from Smolnícka Píla.
The area surrounding the primeval forest remnant contains managed forests using close-to-nature forestry methods. It was precisely in this area that one of the pioneers of close-to-nature forestry in Slovakia, Ladislav Alcnauer, began applying this approach.
Source: www.pralesy.sk
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