Grybla

Grybla is a hill in the Benešov Highlands rising directly above the village of Krhanice, right next to the settlement of Dolní Požáry on the right bank of the Sázava River in Central Bohemia, roughly 20 km south of Prague. Its summit reaches just over 500 metres above sea level, making it the highest point of the Hornopožárský les — a natural park covering about 25 square kilometres between the towns of Kamenice, Krhanice, Jílové u Prahy and Týnec nad Sázavou.

Why is Grybla protected?

The hill itself has been a nature reserve since 1985, made up of two separate sections — a northern and a southern one — with a combined area of more than 53 hectares, linked by a protective buffer zone. The reserve exists to protect beech forest with natural undergrowth together with patches of oak forest, both typical of this part of the Czech Republic. It's the mix of tree species and the largely undisturbed forest floor that justified giving the area protected status.

What can visitors see on the trail?

Geologically, Grybla sits on biotite granodiorite belonging to the Central Bohemian Pluton, which surfaces at the summit and on the slopes as rock outcrops, boulders and boulder fields. These granite formations give rise to distinctive rock shapes such as the "Stone Throne" (Kamenný trůn), found on the slopes near the hill, not far from Panská skála. Between the exposed rock and the surrounding Hornopožárský les, the area draws not just botanists but also visitors interested in rock formations and field geology.

A hill with a history

The summit of Grybla once held a fortified hillfort settlement, of which only modest remnants of the defensive ramparts survive today. This points to the hill having been inhabited and used for defence in earlier centuries, although the exact scale and period of the settlement aren't obvious at a glance — appreciating it takes a closer look and some background on the local history.

How to get to Grybla

Dolní Požáry, one of the localities that make up the municipality of Krhanice alongside Krhanice itself and Prosečnice, serves as a natural reference point for hikers heading toward the reserve. Hiking trails through the Hornopožárský les pass through this area, making Grybla a convenient day-trip destination from the Prague region.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Grybla? The summit rises to just over 500 metres above sea level and is the highest point of the Hornopožárský les.

Since when has Grybla been a nature reserve? The area was protected in 1985 for its beech and oak forest with preserved natural undergrowth.

What is there to see besides the forest? Distinctive granite rock formations, including the "Stone Throne," and the remains of an old hillfort on the summit.

Where's the best starting point for a hike? Dolní Požáry or neighbouring Krhanice on the Sázava River make good starting points.