Karlštejn National Nature Reserve
Národní přírodní rezervace Karlštejn
A vast national nature reserve in the Czech Karst, surrounding Karlštejn Castle, known for its dramatic limestone canyons, ancient caves, and exceptional biodiversity, popular for hiking and nature exploration.

🌲 Significant and ancient nature reserve in Czech Karst, established 1955.
🏞️ Spans 1547 hectares, surrounds Karlštejn Castle, features limestone canyons, caves, and diverse flora/fauna.

Why Go

🚶‍♀️ Explore vast network of marked hiking trails, including Svatý Jan pod Skalou educational trail.
🦇 Discover unique karst phenomena and numerous caves like Kačák and Karlštejn.
🌸 Encounter rare and endangered plant species such as Czech pasqueflower and martagon lily.
🦋 Observe diverse wildlife, especially invertebrates, in thermophilic oak forests and rock steppes.

Nature & Geology

⛰️ Landscape shaped by Devonian limestones, forming canyon-like valleys of Berounka river and tributaries.
🌿 Features world-renowned Paleozoic geological profiles and paleontological sites.
🌳 Diverse ecosystems from beech/oak-hornbeam forests to rock steppes.

Location

📍 North of Berounka river, between Beroun, Vráž, Mořina, Karlštejn, and Srbsko, Central Bohemian Region.

🏆 Recognition

🇪🇺 Awarded European Diploma for Protected Areas in 2000 by Council of Europe, reconfirmed 2020.