Chlum

Chlum is a small but remarkably rich nature reserve on Chlumská hora hill (650 m above sea level), straddling the border between the Karlovy Vary and Plzeň regions, within the cadastral territory of the village of Pšov in the Karlovy Vary district. The site was placed under protection back in 1947, with the purpose of preserving the original tree stand and native flora — thermophilous steppe and forest plant communities growing on neovolcanite, rock formed by the region's volcanic past.

What makes this reserve globally unique?

The main reason Chlum draws botanists from across Europe is the Manětín rowan (Sorbus rhodanthera) — one of only two endemic plant species in the Karlovy Vary region, and one that grows in this single location and nowhere else on Earth. The population numbers around 400 trees, reaching up to 16 meters in height, with distinctive red, spherical fruit. Because of its extremely limited range, the species is classified as critically endangered.

What other rare plants grow here?

Besides the endemic rowan, the reserve hosts several species of terrestrial orchids, including the red helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra) — the rarest orchid in the entire Karlovy Vary region. On the rocky sections and shallow, skeletal soils grow long-leaved carline thistle, mountain St. John's wort, martagon lily, and melittis. This diversity stems from the hill's volcanic bedrock, which favors the survival of rare plant and animal species.

What does the vegetation on Chlumská hora's summit look like?

The higher parts of the hill are covered by a thermophilous oak-linden forest, dominated by oak and linden trees. On the rocky outcrops and areas with thin, stony soil cover, steppe grasslands develop instead — plant communities adapted to dry, sun-exposed conditions that are uncommon in this part of the Czech Republic.

What animals live in the reserve?

The area is home to roughly 288 animal species. Among them are sika deer, honey buzzard, great crested newt, black stork, and badger. As with the flora, this richness of fauna is linked to the hill's unusual volcanic character and the variety of microhabitats packed into a small protected area.

How can visitors reach the reserve?

A green-marked hiking trail leads to Chlumská hora from the small town of Manětín. The first viewpoint lies about 2 km from the town square, and continuing on to the Chlum nature reserve itself adds roughly another 2.5 km to the hike.

Frequently asked questions

How large is the Chlum reserve? The originally protected area covers 3.45 hectares, though according to recent information its boundaries have since been expanded to roughly three times the original size.

Why is the Manětín rowan so special? It is an endemic species, meaning it grows nowhere else in the world besides Chlumská hora. With only about 400 specimens left, it is classified as critically endangered.

Are there orchids in the reserve? Yes, several species of terrestrial orchids grow here, with the red helleborine considered the rarest orchid in the whole Karlovy Vary region.

When was the area declared a protected reserve? It was designated a nature reserve in 1947 by the Czechoslovak Ministry of Education and National Culture.