Kozelka, Nature reserve in Manětín and Nečtiny, Czech Republic.
Kozelka is a table mountain of Tertiary trachybasalt rising 100 to 150 metres above the surrounding terrain, protected as a nature reserve covering 33.15 hectares between 550 and 660 metres above sea level. Pleistocene frost weathering shaped its summit into about 30 rock towers, pyramids, pseudokarst depressions and scree fields; the highest towers stand on the northern slope. The summit itself is wooded with Scots pine, silver birch and common juniper.
The hilltop was home to one of Western Bohemia's largest Eneolithic settlements during prehistoric times. Archaeological remains from this ancient occupation can still be found at the site today.
The rock formations here have inspired local folklore about a shepherd whose cattle supposedly turned to stone as punishment. This legend remains part of how local people understand and talk about the landscape today.
The summit viewpoint lies about 3.5 km along the red-marked trail from Nečtiny's square; from the Doubravice bus stop on road 201 it is roughly 1.5 km to the Pod Kozelkou trail junction. Parking is at the lower edge of Doubravice, beyond which driving is prohibited. The top is wooded, so views are partly screened by trees.
Kozelka holds about five hundred climbing routes, making it the largest climbing area in the Plzeň Region. At the top stands a wooden memorial cross with plaques bearing the names of deceased Plzeň climbers.
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