Rašovické skály

Rašovické skály is a national nature monument in the Doupov Mountains, a few kilometers from Klášterec nad Ohří, on the edge of the village of Lestkov in the Chomutov district. The rock wall reaches roughly twenty meters in height and stretches for about one hundred fifty meters along the western slope of one of the offshoots of the Nedíl massif.

How did Rašovické skály form?

The rocks are a remnant of volcanic activity from the Doupov volcano during the Tertiary period. After the basalt rock cooled and solidified, a large landslide occurred, and its traces are still visible in the terrain today — the slide track runs about 1,100 meters, with material accumulating at the base of the slope. The result is a varied rock formation with towers, overhangs, and boulders that today forms the core of the protected area.

Why is the area protected?

The protection is centered on the basalt bedrock, which supports rare warmth-loving vegetation. Species adapted to dry, sun-exposed habitats grow on the rock walls and ledges, and many of them are under strict legal protection. Covering 35 hectares, the area was first declared protected by the Chomutov district authority in 1992; it received its final status as a national nature monument from the Czech Ministry of the Environment in 2017.

The rocks are also an important nesting site for birds. The critically endangered peregrine falcon breeds here, along with the stock dove and the red-breasted flycatcher, both classified as threatened species. The combination of steep rock walls, a warm microclimate, and the quiet of hard-to-reach terrain creates conditions that are uncommon in the surrounding Ore Mountains and the Doupov Hills.

How to get to Rašovické skály?

No marked hiking trail leads to the formation. The most practical approach starts from the village of Suchý Důl and follows an unmarked path that climbs along the edge of the rocky escarpment. Because there is no waymarking and the terrain is steep, it's worth allowing extra time and wearing suitable footwear. The appearance of the rocks also changes with the seasons — spring wildflowers blooming on the rock ledges contrast with the bare basalt blocks of winter.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly are Rašovické skály located? On the western slope of an offshoot of the Nedíl massif, about one kilometer east of Lestkov, between Klášterec nad Ohří and Kadaň.

Is the area freely accessible? Yes, but there is no marked trail — visitors should respect its status as a national nature monument and stay on the path rather than venturing into areas where protected species occur.

What makes the site geologically interesting? The combination of volcanic basalt rock and a large landslide that exposed the rock walls and shaped the present-day terrain.

Which species nest here? Among others, the peregrine falcon, the stock dove, and the red-breasted flycatcher — all species tied to undisturbed rock and forest habitats.