Málkov: Trails, Karst and Local History

Málkov lies in the Český kras landscape, below Lejškov Hill. You can explore the area through nearby nature trails and karst formations, as well as its local history. Gently rolling meadows where horses graze are part of the landscape; the slopes of Lejškov are home to steppe vegetation. Nature and visible traces of past land use thus come together in the surrounding area.

Landscape and Nature at Lejškov

Several small limestone quarries were once operated on the slopes of Lejškov. The former quarries, left open, provide a habitat for plant and animal species that thrive in warm conditions. These former extraction sites are therefore not only part of the history of land use, but are also significant for today’s landscape and its habitats. An abandoned mine adit at Lejškov serves as a refuge for a bat colony. Do not enter the abandoned adit. Steppe vegetation on the slopes and gently rolling meadows with grazing horses add further, distinct landscape features to this picture.

Nature Trails in the Český kras

The nearby Koukolova hora–Kotýz–Koněprusy nature trail is 5.2 km long and of moderate difficulty. This gives you both a specific route length and an indication of the level of difficulty when planning your visit. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out. Another nearby route, the Zlatý kůň nature trail, runs mostly through the Zlatý kůň National Natural Monument and the Kobyla Nature Reserve. Before your visit, also check the boundaries of the protected areas and local visitor rules.

The Zlatý kůň nature trail has 14 information boards and four interactive features. These installations may be changed or renewed over time. The Zlatý kůň National Natural Monument protects the Koněprusy Caves and other karst features. These include fossil remains of animals and humans from the Upper Pleistocene, as well as archaeological and historical finds. Geological features and evidence from different periods together shape the character of this protected area.

Rock Formations and Views

On the nearby Kotýz section of the nature trail, you can admire the rock arches Axamitova brána and Jelínkův most. The nearby Kotýz Plateau was also the site of a hillfort in the past. The rock formations and archaeological history give Kotýz both scenic and historical significance.

Koukolova hora also offers its own viewpoint in the surrounding area. At its summit stands the ruin of a chapel dating from 1832. In suitable visibility, the view extends to Králův Dvůr, the ponds at Popovice, part of Beroun and Děd Mountain. Visibility depends on the weather. Those who consider both views and history when planning their trip will find two specific highlights here: the chapel ruin at the summit and the panorama of the places and landscape features mentioned above.

History in the Village Centre

Historical sources first mention Málkov in 1548. Several old farmsteads contribute to the area’s historic character. Málkov’s chapel also has a small architectural detail: a small bell tower with a small bell sits on its roof. A sycamore maple (Javor mléč), designated as a protected individual tree, stands by house no. 7 in the village centre. It was first granted protected status on 1 January 1987.

These features offer a way to distinguish between different interests when choosing a destination: nearby nature trails and the karst landscape provide specific points of interest for walking and nature, while old farmsteads, the chapel, the tree and the historical traces at Kotýz add history and architectural heritage to a visit.

Discover more destinations: Záluží, Korno, Kotopeky, Hýskov, Bubovice, Svatý Jan Pod Skalou, Vráž, Hudlice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Beroun.