Maršovy Chody

Maršovy Chody is a small natural monument in the Tachov district of the Plzeň Region, located about a kilometer southwest of the village that shares its name. The protected area safeguards a waterlogged meadow sitting right at the edge of forest and farmland — a type of habitat that has largely disappeared elsewhere in the Czech Republic due to land drainage and agricultural intensification, but which survives here in near-pristine condition.

What exactly is protected here?

The reserve exists primarily because of its exceptional richness of orchids and other plants typical of peatland and wetland meadows. The standout species is the marsh helleborine (Epipactis palustris), whose population at Maršovy Chody is large enough to be considered nationally significant within the Czech Republic. Alongside it grow marsh orchids of the genus Dactylorhiza and additional Epipactis species. For botanists and nature enthusiasts, this makes the site a rare chance to see several orchid species thriving together in the wild, without having to travel deep into mountain reserves.

Why has this particular meadow survived?

The key to preserving such specialized vegetation is the ground's consistently high moisture level. Water retained in the soil for most of the year has made the land unsuitable for intensive farming, which is precisely why it was never drained and converted into cropland the way many comparable meadows in the region were. What looks like an agricultural drawback turned out to be an ecological stroke of luck — the terrain stayed close to its natural state, allowing rare plant species to persist here for decades.

When is the best time to visit?

The most rewarding time to see the orchids in bloom is during summer, when the marsh helleborine and related species produce their distinctive flower spikes. As a protected area, the reserve deserves respectful visiting habits — stick to marked paths, avoid picking any plants, and don't wander off into the wet meadow itself, where the ground can be unstable underfoot.

How to get to Maršovy Chody?

The village of Maršovy Chody is the natural starting point, with the boundary of the protected area only about a kilometer away. The site lies in the Tachov district of the Plzeň Region, close to the border with Bavaria, making it easy to combine with a visit to the Český les (Bohemian Forest) area and the nearby town of Tachov.

Frequently asked questions

Is Maršovy Chody a large nature reserve? No — it's a small, localized protected area centered on a single wetland meadow rather than an extensive forest or mountain complex.

What's the main highlight of a visit? The rare orchids: marsh helleborine and Dactylorhiza species, plus the increasingly uncommon sight of an intact peatland meadow in a Central European farming landscape.

Is there tourist infrastructure on site? Not really — this is a nature-focused site without a visitor center or parking facilities, better suited to those interested in botany and quiet countryside walks than to typical sightseeing itineraries.

Which region is Maršovy Chody located in? It lies in the Plzeň Region, in the Tachov district of western Bohemia, close to the German border.