Borek

Borek is a small but geologically and ecologically significant nature reserve on the northern edge of Lysý Hill (611 m above sea level), right above the railway station in Teplice nad Metují, in the Náchod district of the Czech Republic. Covering just 3.63 hectares, the site has been under legal protection since 1956, making it one of the older protected areas in the Broumovsko region. It is administered by the Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic, regional office for Eastern Bohemia.

What makes Borek geologically interesting?

The reserve owes its protected status largely to its striking geomorphology. Quadersandstein (quadrangular sandstone) formations on Lysý Hill have weathered over centuries into steep rock walls and extensive scree slopes. These formations are part of the broader sandstone landscape of the Table Mountains and Broumov Walls, a region famous for its dramatic "rock cities."

What plant life grows here?

Growing directly on the sandstone blocks and scree are relict pine forests — tree communities that have adapted to shallow, acidic, nutrient-poor soils and intense sun exposure on bare rock surfaces. Alongside them grows a specialized flora typical of silicate rock and rubble habitats, made up of species tolerant of drought and low nutrient availability. It is precisely this combination of an unusual rock landscape with fragments of such specific vegetation communities that justified placing Borek under nature protection.

Why visit this reserve?

Despite its small size, Borek is a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in geology or botany, and it is easy to reach on foot directly from the center of Teplice nad Metují. The rock walls and scree fields of Lysý Hill are impressive up close, while views toward the surrounding Table Mountains add to the scenic value of a visit.

How do you get to the Borek nature reserve?

A yellow-marked tourist trail runs through the reserve, starting in Teplice nad Metují and continuing through the Teplice Rock City (Teplické skalní město) toward Adršpach. The reserve therefore sits naturally along one of the region's most popular hiking routes, the one linking the two famous Czech "rock cities" of Adršpach and Teplice. Thanks to the nearby railway station in Teplice nad Metují, reaching the trailhead is straightforward, making Borek an appealing stop whether for a short walk or as part of a longer mountain hike.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Borek nature reserve? It is a protected natural area of 3.63 hectares on the northern slope of Lysý Hill, safeguarded since 1956 for its unusual sandstone formations and relict pine forests.

Where exactly is it located? On the northern edge of Lysý Hill (611 m above sea level), directly above the railway station in Teplice nad Metují, in the Náchod district of the Czech Republic.

What can visitors see in the reserve? Steep sandstone rock walls, large scree slopes, and relict pine forest communities together with vegetation typical of silicate rock habitats.

How do you reach Borek on foot? The easiest way is via the yellow tourist trail from Teplice nad Metují toward the Teplice Rock City and onward to Adršpach.

Who manages the reserve? The Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic (regional office for Eastern Bohemia).