Fajmanovy skály a Klenky

Fajmanovy skály a Klenky is a nature reserve lying northeast of the village of Čížkov in the Plzeň-South district, in the southern part of the Brdy hills. Covering just under 30 hectares, it protects a stretch of near-original forest growing on rocky quartzite ground and ranks among the places where the Brdy landscape has kept an unusually wild, largely untouched character.

Where does the reserve's name come from?

The name refers to Jan Fajman, a former mayor of the nearby town of Spálené Poříčí who once owned part of this forest — hence "Fajmanovy skály," or Fajman's Rocks. The second part of the name, "Klenky," is a local topographic name tied to the terrain features found in this part of the Brdy range.

What makes this place ecologically significant?

The area was granted protected status in 1955 precisely because of its surviving patches of relict forest and spruce-beech woodland growing on wild sandstone-quartzite rocks and scree. The geological base here consists mainly of Cambrian and Ordovician rock, while quartzite dating back to the Neoproterozoic plays the key role in shaping the terrain. It is responsible for the characteristic landforms found throughout the reserve: rock outcrops, frost-shattered cliffs, and so-called rock seas — extensive fields of boulders and rock debris.

What vegetation grows on the rocks and scree?

The quartzite rocks and scree support relict-type forests dominated by Scots pine, mixed with silver birch and rowan. The forest floor is sparse, made up mainly of bilberry and lingonberry along with numerous species of moss and lichen — all well adapted to the harsh, nutrient-poor conditions of this rocky terrain.

What wildlife can be found here?

The hard-to-reach, rocky and densely forested parts of the reserve provide favorable nesting sites for the Eurasian eagle-owl, the largest owl species in Europe. This bird favors exactly this kind of terrain: steep cliffs inaccessible to people combined with extensive, quiet forest complexes that offer shelter and limit both predator pressure and human disturbance.

How to get there and what to know before visiting?

The reserve sits right next to the village of Čížkov, in a part of the Brdy hills easily reached from both Plzeň and Příbram. Because of its protected status and the presence of sensitive habitats, visitors should stick to marked trails and keep noise to a minimum — particularly important for breeding bird populations such as the eagle-owl mentioned above. The rocky, at times steep terrain and patches of scree make sturdy hiking footwear a good idea.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Fajmanovy skály a Klenky located? The reserve lies northeast of the village of Čížkov, in the Plzeň-South district, in the southern part of the Brdy hills.

Since when has the area been protected? It was declared a nature reserve in 1955.

How large is the reserve? The protected area covers just under 30 hectares.

Why is the place called "Fajmanovy skály"? The name comes from Jan Fajman, a former mayor of Spálené Poříčí who owned part of the forest here.

Which species are especially notable for conservation here? The reserve is known as a nesting site for the Eurasian eagle-owl, the largest owl found in Europe.