Kopeč, Nature reserve in Central Bohemia, Czech Republic

Kopeč is a 9.14-hectare nature reserve of conical hills and elongated ridges of Tertiary volcanic origin, built of dark nephelinite, rising between 196 and 225 metres above sea level north of Odolena Voda. The peaks Kopeč, Homolka and Kozí hřbety form a horseshoe open to the north, surrounded by farmland.

Kopeč was declared a nature reserve on 3 February 1946, initially covering two hectares, which makes it one of the oldest protected areas in the Central Bohemian Region. In 1956 non-native trees were planted and later spread, and their removal is still under way to protect the steppe vegetation. On 7 June 2006 the reserve was re-declared by the Central Bohemian Regional Council, enlarging it to 9.1415 hectares after a 2005 botanical survey found many protected species.

The name Kopeč likely comes from the bare steppe hill that looks imposing from below. The three volcanic forms—Kopeč, Homolka and Kozí hřbety—make a horseshoe open to the north. Since 1956 non-native trees planted here have been gradually removed to protect the steppe vegetation.

The reserve lies north of Odolena Voda, above the village of Kopeč, in the Úžice municipality; the lowest point is 196 m and the highest 225 m. The conical hills and ridges form a horseshoe open to the north, so approach from the village side. The protected core covers 9.1415 ha, ringed by a 12.2556 ha buffer zone.

The summit of Kopeč reaches 225 m, while the lowest point of the reserve lies at 196 m; the whole formation is a horseshoe-shaped ring of cones open to the north. Geologists read the ring as the eroded rim of a volcanic crater, 5 to 15 m thick, around an oval vent.