About this place
Dřínovská stráň is a small but ecologically significant nature reserve on the south-facing slope of the hill of the same name, near the village of Dřínov in the Mělník district of Central Bohemia, Czech Republic. The protected area covers 5.66 hectares and sits at an elevation of 210 to 245 metres above sea level. It was granted protected status in 1994.
Why is this area protected?
The reserve exists to preserve so-called "opuka white slopes" — hillsides formed from marlstone bedrock that are typical of this part of the Czech Republic and support a rich, heat-loving plant community along with the invertebrates that depend on it. The combination of chalky, calcium-rich rock and a south-facing exposure creates a warm, dry microclimate that favours species associated with steppe-like, xerothermic habitats found across parts of Central Europe.
What grows and lives here?
The slope is covered by a mosaic of thermophilous grasslands, home to plants such as Euphorbia seguieriana, Scabiosa canescens, the feather grass Stipa pennata, and Linum tenuifolium, alongside crown vetch. Vegetation of this kind is considered a relic of earlier, warmer climatic periods and today survives mainly on the small number of well-exposed, sun-baked sites like this one.
The invertebrate fauna is just as noteworthy as the flora. The dry grasslands of Dřínovská stráň support several relict xerothermic insect species, including the bush-crickets Bicolorana bicolor and Platycleis denticulata — species tied exclusively to dry, sun-exposed steppe habitats that have become increasingly rare in the Czech Republic as former pastures and grasslands have become overgrown.
Who should visit?
Dřínovská stráň is primarily a destination for nature lovers, botanists, and entomologists looking for a quiet, small-scale reserve with an unusually rich xerothermic plant community, away from the crowds of more conventional tourist attractions. Given its modest size, a visit does not take long, but it rewards a slow, attentive pace — many of the plant and insect species here are inconspicuous and easy to miss on a quick walk-through.
The surrounding area around Dřínov and the Mělník district also offers other points of interest tied to the Central Bohemian landscape — river valleys, vineyards, and historic small towns — making it easy to combine a stop at the reserve with a longer regional itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Dřínovská stráň located? The reserve lies on the south-facing slope of the Dřínovská stráň hill, near the village of Dřínov in the Mělník district of the Czech Republic.
When was the reserve established? The area received protected status in 1994.
How large is the reserve? It covers 5.66 hectares, at an elevation between 210 and 245 metres above sea level.
What is the main reason for protecting this site? The reserve protects marlstone ("opuka") white slopes with heat-loving, xerothermic vegetation and its associated invertebrate fauna, including relict orthopteran insect species.
What plant species can be found here? Among others, Euphorbia seguieriana, Scabiosa canescens, feather grass (Stipa pennata), and Linum tenuifolium — species typical of dry, sun-exposed steppe grasslands.
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