Český les Protected Landscape Area

Český les Protected Landscape Area is a landscape protection zone in Plzeňský kraj covering more than 470 square kilometers of varied terrain. The region features deep forests, open meadows, and several mountain peaks, with Čerchov standing as the highest elevation.

The area became a protection zone after World War II when the German-speaking population left the border region. During the Communist period through 1989, the landscape remained sparsely inhabited and largely undisturbed.

The protected area maintains traditional farming where cattle graze across scattered meadows and pastures that shape the landscape. This traditional land use has created herb-rich beech forests and mountain grasslands that visitors can see throughout the region.

The D5 highway divides the region into northern and southern sections, with an extensive network of marked trails for exploration. Visitors should be prepared for changing weather and varying trail conditions across forested and open areas.

The geological foundation consists of Moldanubicum pluton rocks with granite, gneiss, and schist formations dating back to Paleozoic and Proterozoic times. These ancient rock layers shape the surface forms and the type of stones that hikers encounter throughout the region.

Location: Plzeňský kraj

GPS coordinates: 49.51151,12.69476

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:06