Český kras Protected Landscape Area

Landschaftsschutzpark Böhmischer Karst is a protected limestone region between Prague and Beroun that covers deep river valleys, rock formations, and over seven hundred caves. The park follows the Berounka River and forms a rugged natural zone with forested hills and cliff faces.

The region received protected status in 1972 after quarrying and intensive land use threatened the limestone formations. The geological layers date from the Silurian and Devonian periods, roughly four hundred million years old.

The name derives from the Slovenian word for limestone terrain, describing dry valleys and underground watercourses. Visitors today encounter small chapels and old quarries along the trails, showing how people have used this land for centuries.

Trails run along the river and through valleys, with some steep sections requiring sturdy footwear. The Koneprusy Caves offer guided visits, while Karlštejn Castle is within walking distance from parts of the park.

The limestone terrain supports warmth-loving plant and animal species, including one of the last European ground squirrel populations in the Czech lands. These rodents live in open grasslands and dig extensive tunnel systems in the chalky soil.