Cikánský dolík is a tiny but remarkable fen nature monument tucked away in the Džbán hills, home to plant species found nowhere else in the Czech Republic. Covering just 0.65 hectares, this quiet reserve rewards those willing to seek it out with a genuinely rare glimpse of untouched wetland nature.

Surrounded on all sides by spruce plantations, the fen meadow feels like a hidden pocket of wilderness - open, damp, and alive with rare flora that contrasts sharply with the dark forest around it. The Samotínský stream runs through the site, and calcareous springs create tufa deposits, a rare natural process in this region. The meadow blooms in spring and summer, while autumn brings golden hues to the grasses. It's a peaceful, secluded spot, rarely visited, perfect for nature lovers wanting solitude away from crowds.

How to get there

• The reserve lies on no marked hiking trail, so plan your approach from nearby villages around the Džbán area, ideally with a map or GPS app
• The route passes through the Bílichov forests, a quiet and lightly trodden landscape

Practical information

• The area is protected as a national natural monument - interfering with the water regime or picking plants is prohibited
• Critically endangered species grow here, including bastard toadflax (Thesium rostratum) and black bog-rush
• The meadow is regularly mown to protect rare species from invasive plants

The valley's name comes from a local legend about a hermit - reportedly the executioner Jan Mydlář once lived here with his dog named Cikán, who gave the valley its name.