Studánky u Cerhovic

Studánky u Cerhovic is a protected natural monument located roughly 1.5 km west of the village of Cerhovice in the Beroun district of the Czech Republic. The site sits on the southwestern foothills of Třenická hora, at an elevation of 430 to 470 meters above sea level, and covers an area of 9.5 hectares. Its coordinates are approximately 49.8462 N, 13.8091 E.

What does the landscape at Studánky u Cerhovic look like?

The reserve is a shallow, waterlogged depression made up of spring-fed wet meadows surrounded by managed commercial forest. The defining feature of the area is its wet, spring-nourished ground, which has allowed a rich and unusual plant community to develop on a fairly small footprint — a type of habitat that has become increasingly scarce elsewhere in this part of Central Europe as wetlands have been drained for agriculture and forestry.

Why was this area given protected status?

The site was declared a natural monument in 1986, specifically to safeguard the valuable plant communities growing around its springs and on its wet meadows. Botanists have recorded more than 300 species of vascular plants within the reserve's boundaries, a notably high count for an area of under ten hectares. The standout feature is the mass occurrence of the western marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis), a species tied closely to damp meadows, alongside populations of globeflower (Trollius altissimus) and Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) — plants now considered endangered and increasingly rare across the wider Central European landscape.

What is the geology of the reserve?

Studánky u Cerhovic straddles two distinct rock formations. The northern part of the area is built on Ordovician quartzite, a hard sedimentary rock dating to the Paleozoic era, while the southern part rests on much older Precambrian shale. This geological boundary shapes the local hydrology and soil conditions, helping to sustain the spring-fed, waterlogged habitats that the entire protected ecosystem depends on.

How can visitors reach Studánky u Cerhovic?

There is no marked hiking trail leading into the reserve. The site can only be reached via an unmarked path starting from the village of Cerhovice. Because there is no tourist infrastructure and the wetland habitats are sensitive to disturbance, visitors should move carefully and stick to existing paths to avoid damaging the wet meadows and the rare plants growing on them.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Studánky u Cerhovic located? The reserve lies about 1.5 km west of Cerhovice, in the Beroun district, on the southwestern slopes of Třenická hora, at 430–470 meters above sea level.

How large is the protected area? It covers 9.5 hectares.

When was the site protected? It was declared a natural monument in 1986.

What plants grow here? More than 300 vascular plant species have been recorded, including the protected western marsh orchid, globeflower, and Siberian iris, all tied to the wet spring meadows.

Is there a marked trail to the reserve? No, there is no marked trail — access is only possible via an unmarked path from Cerhovice.

What is the underlying geology? The north is formed by Ordovician quartzite, while the south rests on older Precambrian shale, shaping the wetland habitats found there.