Kokrháč is a small but striking nature reserve tucked into the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory), famous for its reddish rock formations shaped by frost and erosion into a dramatic, stepped ridge. It is a rewarding stop for hikers who enjoy quiet trails and unusual rock scenery rather than crowded viewpoints.

The steep slope of the Prunéřov valley is covered by relict pine forest mixed with oak and beech, growing right among the rock outcrops where the protected bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) can be found. The surrounding hillside is otherwise dominated by commercial spruce forest, making the rocky islands feel like a wilder pocket within a managed landscape. Autumn and winter, when the canopy thins, are especially good times to appreciate the exposed rock steps, while summer brings a lush, green contrast to the reddish orthogneiss.

How to get there

• From the village of Místo (Chomutov district) - about 1 km southwest, easy to moderate walk along the Prunéřov valley
• Alternative access via the Prunéřov Valley Nature Park trails

Practical information

• The protected area covers 9.24 hectares at an elevation of 450-640 m
• It forms part of the larger Natura 2000 site Kokrháč - Hasištejn (168 ha)
• Home to the strictly protected bearberry - please do not pick any plants
• The nearby Volyňský vrch (727 m) is the highest point in the surrounding area

The area around Místo was once a small mining outpost dating back to the 15th century, with silver and iron ore workings that have long since faded into the forested hillsides.