Sluňáky is a small but fascinating nature reserve on the edge of the village of Rokle, protecting an unusual collection of rounded quartzite boulders with weathered, sun-bleached surfaces. It's one of the last places in the Czech Republic where these distinctive rocks can still be found scattered naturally across the landscape. A perfect stop for anyone curious about geology mixed with an easy countryside walk.

The surrounding landscape belongs to the Rohozecká vrchovina, a gently rolling area of structural ridges, small tabular hills and volcanic cones in the northeastern part of the Doupovské hory. The boulders lie loosely across the terrain, remnants of what was once a continuous layer of Tertiary quartz sandstone. In spring and summer the area feels calm and green, while in autumn and winter the exposed stones give the place a slightly wild, timeless atmosphere. It's a quiet spot, rarely crowded, ideal for a relaxed walk away from busier trails.

How to get there

• Village of Rokle - the reserve lies right on its southeastern edge, an easy few-minute walk
• Road II/224 runs along the western boundary, alongside signed cycling route No. 6 from Kadaň to Žatec

Practical information

• Protected due to the rare quartzite boulders - please do not remove stones from the site
• Local flora and fauna have not been closely studied and are not the main reason for protection

In the past, these quartzite boulders were quarried to make dinas, a fire-resistant material once used in blast furnace construction - making Sluňáky a quiet witness to the region's industrial history.