Ostaš, Nature reserve in Žďár nad Metují, Czech Republic

Ostaš is a nature reserve protecting the flat-topped summit of a table mountain 702 m high, about two kilometres northwest of Police nad Metují. Its upper plateau, roughly 500 by 400 m, is bordered by sandstone cliffs up to 40 m tall, cut into towers and a small rock town called Horní labyrint.

The area received official protection status in 1956 to safeguard its distinctive geological formations and diverse ecosystems. The sandstone layers formed in an ancient sea and were later carved into a complex rock maze by natural erosion.

The place serves as a habitat for rare plant and animal species adapted to rocky environments found in the wider region. Visitors experience nature on its own terms, where wildlife and geological features coexist without heavy human modification.

A circular marked trail leads through the Horní labyrint rock town and along the plateau edge to viewpoints such as Frýdlantská skála. The rock towers and blocks are used for climbing and bouldering. Paths cross sandstone surfaces that become slippery when wet.

The area is known for natural rock passages that visitors can walk through, offering an almost underground exploration experience. These hidden passages were carved entirely by the slow work of water and time.