Velká Pleš

Velká Pleš is a national nature reserve rising above the right bank of the Berounka River, two to three kilometers west of the village of Branov, within the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area in central Bohemia. Covering nearly 96 hectares, it protects one of the region's most valuable pockets of natural habitat.

What does the reserve protect?

The core protected feature is the treeless summit area of two hills — Velká Pleš, reaching 500 meters, and the neighboring Malá Pleš at 452 meters. Their exposed, rocky tops have developed unique habitats: primitive skeletal soils, rock-crevice plant communities, and xerothermic grasslands that form striking islands of open vegetation surrounded by dense forest. The lower slopes, by contrast, are covered by scree woodlands that have taken hold among the tumbled rock debris.

What plants and animals live here?

Researchers have recorded around 340 species of vascular plants within the reserve — a remarkably high number for an area of this size, reflecting the mosaic of microhabitats packed into a small space. Among them is the rare rock fern, a species tied to sunlit, rocky ledges. The "pleše" themselves — as these treeless rocky summits are locally known — serve as refuges for numerous relict species of both plants and animals, particularly invertebrates that have persisted here since past climatic periods thanks to the distinctive microclimate of the exposed rock.

Can visitors explore the reserve?

No. Velká Pleš is not open to the public, and no marked hiking trail crosses its territory. Strict protection is meant to safeguard the fragile, slowly regenerating rock and grassland habitats from trampling and tourist pressure. Nature lovers can still take in the surroundings from nearby trails running through the Berounka valley, observing the forested slopes from a respectful distance.

Where exactly is it located?

The reserve lies in the Rakovník District of the Central Bohemian Region, within the municipality of Branov, in the scenic canyon carved by the Berounka River — one of the defining landscape features of the Křivoklátsko area. The proximity of the river together with the steep, rocky slopes makes this one of the wilder corners of the region.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Velká Pleš reserve established? Protection of the area dates back to 1931, and it was designated a national nature reserve in its current form in 1984.

How large is the reserve? It spans approximately 95.7 hectares, combining forested land with treeless rocky summit areas.

Is there a hiking trail leading to Velká Pleš? No, the reserve is not crossed by any marked trail — it is a strictly protected area closed to visitors.

Why are these hills called "pleše"? The name refers to the bare, rocky summits that stand out like "bald patches" amid the surrounding forest — hence the Czech term "pleš."