Horská louka u Háje

Horská louka u Háje is a small nature reserve east of the settlement of Háj, within the municipality of Loučná pod Klínovcem in the Chomutov District of the Czech Republic. It lies in the valley of the Černá voda stream, at the foot of Klínovec, the highest peak of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory). The reserve covers roughly 18.84 hectares and sits at an elevation between 915 and 960 metres, on the eastern slope of the Macecha hill.

Why was this area protected?

The reserve was established to preserve a well-preserved example of a typical Ore Mountains upland meadow, together with the rare plants that grow there. Among the notable species found on site are the aconite-leaved buttercup, the broad-leaved marsh orchid, Fuchs' marsh orchid, and the round-leaved sundew — a carnivorous plant characteristic of damp, peaty habitats. The presence of so many species tied to wet meadows and peatlands points to the considerable ecological value of this small patch of land.

What did this landscape look like in the past?

Before it became a protected area, the land was long used as poor-quality pasture. Its northern part once held the settlement of Königsmühle. In the second half of the twentieth century the settlement disappeared, and the previously grazed meadow began to be overtaken by shrubs. Traces of that earlier settlement can still be found within the reserve today: the ruins of several buildings, an overgrown drainage channel, and a sunken former path. These remnants add a human, historical layer to a site that is otherwise valued primarily for its natural qualities.

What else is worth knowing about this place?

Horská louka u Háje forms part of the larger Novodomské rašeliniště – Kovářská bird area, protected under the European Natura 2000 network for its importance to bird species associated with the wetlands and peat bogs of the Ore Mountains. Although the reserve itself is small, its significance extends beyond its immediate boundaries, functioning as one piece of a broader system protecting the mountain landscapes of the Krušné hory.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the reserve located? East of the settlement of Háj, within the municipality of Loučná pod Klínovcem, in the valley of the Černá voda stream at the foot of Klínovec.

How large is the reserve? It covers an area of approximately 18.84 hectares.

What plant species can be found here? Notable species include the aconite-leaved buttercup, the broad-leaved marsh orchid, Fuchs' marsh orchid, and the round-leaved sundew.

Are there any traces of former settlement within the reserve? Yes — the northern part of the area contains the ruins of the former Königsmühle settlement, along with an overgrown drainage channel and a sunken path.

Is the site part of a larger protected area? Yes, the reserve lies within the Novodomské rašeliniště – Kovářská Natura 2000 bird area.