Pitkovická stráň

Pitkovická stráň is a small but ecologically remarkable nature reserve on the south-eastern edge of Prague, tucked into the valley of the Pitkovický brook near the Pitkovice district. Covering just 0.51 hectares, this rocky slope has been under legal protection since 1968 for its exceptional xerothermic (dry-and-warm-adapted) plant community, the kind normally found on sun-baked, rocky hillsides.

What makes this rocky slope special?

The reserve sits on Proterozoic shale, among the oldest bedrock in the Prague area. Combined with the slope's southern exposure, this geology creates a microclimate that mimics conditions found much further south in Europe. On such a compact plot, botanists have recorded around 100 vascular plant species — a striking number for an area roughly the size of a few football pitches.

The star of the reserve is the Bohemian pasque flower (Pulsatilla pratensis subsp. bohemica), a subspecies found only in the Czech Republic, which blooms in early spring with distinctive purple flowers covered in fine, silvery hairs. Growing alongside it is the Bohemian gagea (Gagea bohemica), a tiny geophyte from the lily family, along with Centaurea triumfettii, a knapweed species typical of dry steppe grasslands and xerothermic scrub.

What surrounds the protected slope?

While the reserve itself is dominated by exposed rock and steppe grassland, its immediate surroundings are far more varied. Along the banks of the Botič stream, fragments of alder floodplain forest and small reed beds have survived, while the valley's slopes are covered with oak and black pine woodland, its understory thick with elderberry and bird cherry. This contrast — a dry, sun-exposed outcrop right next to damp streamside thickets — makes the area interesting even for visitors who aren't specifically drawn to botany.

Where exactly is Pitkovická stráň located?

The reserve lies on the right bank of the Pitkovický brook valley, northwest of Prague's Pitkovice district, within the administrative boundaries of Prague 22. It forms part of the larger Botič-Milíčov nature park, which stretches along the Botič valley, and sits on the "Botič Basin" hiking trail.

How do you get to Pitkovická stráň?

The site is easy to reach for residents and visitors exploring south-eastern Prague — simply head to Pitkovice or Křeslice and follow the Pitkovický brook valley from there. It makes for a rewarding short walk that combines a dose of nature with minimal physical effort, and it's especially worth timing for early spring when the pasque flowers are in bloom.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Pitkovická stráň? Early spring, roughly March to April, is the most rewarding time, when the Bohemian pasque flower blooms and the reserve looks its most striking.

Can visitors walk directly through the reserve? Because the protected plant communities are sensitive, it's best to stick to the marked paths around the reserve rather than walking across the protected grassland itself.

Since when has the area been protected? Pitkovická stráň has been under protection since 1968 (some sources cite formal declaration in 1969), specifically because of its rare xerothermic vegetation.

Is the reserve part of a larger protected area? Yes, it forms part of the Botič-Milíčov nature park, which covers the Botič stream valley within Prague.