Podlešínská skalní jehla

Podlešínská skalní jehla (Podlešín Rock Needle) is a solitary sandstone tower in central Bohemia, protected as a nature monument since 1987. It stands in open fields between the villages of Podlešín and Želenice, in the Kladno district, roughly 700 metres east of Podlešín railway station.

What does the rock look like?

The needle has a distinctly columnar shape and rises about 8 metres above the surrounding terrain. It is built from arkosic sandstone grading in places into conglomerate, part of the so-called Ledeč arkoses within the Slaný Formation. The rock material itself dates back to Carboniferous river sediments, making it considerably older than the shaping processes that carved out its present form.

Why did it take this shape?

The current appearance is the result of long-term exogenous weathering. The surface shows characteristic honeycomb-like pitting, larger cavities, and cornice-shaped weathering features that developed where coarser, more resistant layers of sandstone held up against erosion better than the finer-grained layers around them. On several levels of the outcrop, cross-bedding is also visible — a trace of ancient river deltas that deposited sand and gravel here during the Carboniferous period.

From a distance, the needle's silhouette recalls rock formations better known from the sandstone landscapes of eastern Bohemia, even though its geological history is different and older. This is one of the reasons the site is listed among the region's notable geological localities.

What is there to see nearby?

Right beside the rock, a small rest area has been set up for visitors, with benches, a table, a waste bin, and a fireplace. It makes a convenient stop during a walk through the fields and woods that lie between Podlešín and Želenice.

How to get to Podlešínská skalní jehla?

Field paths lead to the nature monument from both Podlešín and Želenice. The nearest landmark is Podlešín railway station, from which the rock lies a short walk to the east. The route requires no special preparation and suits a casual family walk.

Frequently asked questions

When was Podlešínská skalní jehla granted protected status? It was declared a nature monument in 1987.

How tall is the rock? The rock needle stands about 8 metres high.

What kind of rock is it made of? Arkosic sandstone and conglomerate belonging to the Ledeč arkoses of the Slaný Formation, formed from Carboniferous sediments.

Are there any facilities for visitors at the site? Yes, a rest area with benches, a table, a waste bin, and a fireplace is located directly at the rock.

What is the easiest way to reach the rock? Via field paths from either Podlešín or Želenice; Podlešín railway station, about 700 metres away, is a convenient starting point.

Why does the rock have such an unusual, column-like shape? It is the result of long-term exogenous weathering, which wore away the finer-grained sandstone layers faster than the more resistant ones, leaving behind a vertical column marked by honeycomb-like pitting and cornice-shaped ledges.