Žďár u Chodského Újezda

Žďár u Chodského Újezda is a small but ecologically significant protected area lying just west of the village of Chodský Újezd, in the Tachov district of the Plzeň Region, close to the border with Germany. Designated as a natural monument, it preserves a patch of waterlogged forest together with open bog meadows that have survived here thanks to particular hydrological conditions and minimal human disturbance over recent decades.

What is there to see at this site?

The core of the protected area is a forested wetland threaded with extensive sedge-dominated vegetation, several species of which form the backbone of the habitat. It is precisely this mix of damp woodland and open, waterlogged clearings that makes the location worth protecting — this kind of mosaic is increasingly hard to find in the drier parts of the surrounding region. The terrain feels genuinely wild, with no visitor infrastructure beyond a single information panel placed at its edge.

What plants and animals live here?

The site's standout feature is a rich population of the fragrant orchid (broad-leaved marsh orchid), a protected species that blooms here in denser stands than in most comparable sites in the region. Alongside it, the reserve is home to Siberian iris, mountain arnica, and peat moss, with autumn gentian rounding out the plant community. Together, these species point to a well-preserved, nutrient-poor wet habitat whose conditions have changed very little over a long period.

Wildlife here is dominated by reptiles and amphibians tied to damp environments — viviparous lizards and brown frogs occur in noticeable numbers. In the woodland immediately surrounding the reserve, ravens, crested tits, spotted nutcrackers, and black woodpeckers nest, all species associated with older, less disturbed stands of forest.

How do you get there and where does a visit start?

The area is reached from the road connecting Chodský Újezd and Halže. It is right along this road, at the boundary of the protected zone, that visitors will find the information panel describing the site's natural values. There is no formally marked hiking trail through the reserve in the usual sense — visitors mostly move along its edges, respecting the protected status and the sensitivity of the bog habitat to trampling.

Who is this destination for?

Žďár u Chodského Újezda appeals to visitors interested in botany and nature observation, particularly those drawn to orchids and bog plant communities, rather than travelers looking for scenic viewpoints or historical monuments. The best time to visit is late spring to early summer, when the fragrant orchid is in bloom and the wet meadows are at their most striking. Sturdy, waterproof footwear is worth bringing, since the ground is boggy and soft in places.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a marked hiking trail at Žďár u Chodského Újezda? No formal marked trail runs through the site — visitors approach it from the Chodský Újezd–Halže road, where an information panel stands at the edge of the protected area.

What is the main natural attraction here? A rich population of the fragrant orchid, a protected species growing in the site's wet meadows and bog patches.

When is the best time to visit? Late spring through early summer, when the orchids and other bog plants are flowering and wildlife activity peaks.

Is the site accessible to regular visitors? Yes, but because the habitat is sensitive, it is best to stay on firmer ground at the edges of the area rather than venture into the wetter core.