A small but botanically remarkable wet meadow on the bank of the Hučivý stream, at the northern edge of the village of Lužný near Perštejn. This modest protected area hides hundreds of blooming western marsh orchids and the rare globeflower - species that have vanished from most of the surrounding countryside.

The landscape is a waterlogged meadow bordered by alder woodland, mainly black alder, with the small stream flowing through it before joining the Ohře River a few hundred metres downstream. The atmosphere is calm and damp, at its most beautiful in late May and June when the orchids and globeflowers bloom. In summer, thistles and tall grasses take over, while autumn and winter bring a quiet, boggy stillness that keeps visitor numbers low.

How to get there

• From the village of Lužný u Perštejna - a short, flat walk from the northern edge of the village, easy difficulty
• Can be combined with a walk along the Ohře river valley near Perštejn

Practical information

• The reserve covers only 1.11 hectares, so a visit takes little time
• The ground is wet and boggy - waterproof footwear is recommended
• Protected plant species grow here, including the western marsh orchid and globeflower - please do not pick flowers
• The site forms part of the Natura 2000 network within the Doupovské hory area

Until the mid-20th century this was a regularly mown meadow, and it is precisely that traditional management that preserved such a rare plant community - a great reason to time your visit for late spring.