Malá Chuchle: Nature, Educational Trail and History

The NS Chuchelský háj educational trail covers several areas of knowledge, while the Zookoutek Malá Chuchle forest zoo focuses on wild animals. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Pacoldova lime kiln represent ecclesiastical and industrial history, respectively. This lets you decide whether nature, wildlife or historic sites matter most for your stay.

Natural Area and Educational Trail

The Chuchelský háj Nature Reserve was designated in 1982 and covers 60.6 ha, to protect natural forest communities and warmth-loving rock vegetation. The term refers to vegetation that prefers warm rocky habitats.

The NS Chuchelský háj educational trail starts at the Malá Chuchle bus stop and runs for 3.5 km to the Velká Chuchle bus stop. Its nine information stations cover botanical, zoological, geological and historical topics. The route length and number of stations answer different planning questions: 3.5 km gives the length of the trail, while the nine stations explore its breadth of topics. If you would like to experience nature and history together, the trail brings these themes together along a specific route.

Forest Zoo and Wildlife

The Zookoutek Malá Chuchle forest zoo is located by the forester’s lodge in Chuchelský háj and is open year-round with free admission. More than 30 animal species can currently be seen there. Environmental education programmes for schools focus on wild animals and their protection. The options have clearly distinct focuses: the educational trail combines a 3.5 km route with nine stations covering four subject areas; Zookoutek focuses on animal observation and species conservation, including through school programmes.

Spring, Church and Industrial History

The Mariánský pramen spring is considered one of the most important springs in the Prague capital area. It should be clearly distinguished from Mariánská studánka: the Mariánský pramen itself lies 50 m higher, in a side ravine to the west beneath the altar of the cave chapel of the Virgin Mary.

Ecclesiastical and industrial history add further points of interest. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Malá Chuchle is documented as a parish in 1264. The Baroque Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary has stood in Chuchelský háj since 1774. The dates refer to different things: 1264 relates to the parish, while 1774 marks the presence of the Baroque church in the grove. The Pacoldova lime kiln is a preserved industrial rarity from the second half of the 19th century. Its date therefore places it in a later period than the church, which has been there since 1774, and adds an industrial perspective.

Getting to the Educational Trail

Prague bus routes 129, 241, 244, 314 and 318 are listed for travel from Smíchovské nádraží to the Malá Chuchle stop. Check the current timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Zbraslav, Prague 10, Komořany, Hostavice, Prague 12, Prague, Prague 3, Záběhlice

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