Málkov lies in the Český kras landscape below Lejškov Hill. Gently rolling meadows where horses graze sit alongside steppe vegetation on the slopes and traces of former quarries. There are also old farmhouses and nature trails in the surrounding area. Those planning a stay can explore themes of nature and history side by side without presenting them as a single attraction.

Nature Trails and Protected Karst Landscape

The nearby Koukolova hora–Kotýz–Koněprusy nature trail is a 5.2-kilometre walking route of moderate difficulty. Along the Kotýz section, you can see the rock arches Axamitova brána and Jelínkův most. There was also once a hillfort on the nearby Kotýz Plateau. The rock formations and archaeological connections offer different points of interest for exploring this section.

The Zlatý kůň nature trail offers a different focus: most of it runs through the Zlatý kůň National Nature Monument and the Kobyla Nature Reserve. The trail features 14 information panels and four interactive elements; such installations may be modified or replaced. Before your visit, check the current conditions, route and visitor rules on site. Conditions on the Koukolova hora–Kotýz–Koněprusy route can also change, so it is worth checking before setting out.

The Zlatý kůň National Nature Monument protects the Koněprusy Caves and other karst features. Its protected values include fossil remains of animals and humans from the Upper Pleistocene, as well as archaeological and historical finds. The karst landscape thus brings together natural features and evidence from different periods.

Views and Traces of History

At the summit of nearby Koukolova hora stands the ruin of a chapel dating from 1832. From there, the view extends to Králův Dvůr, the ponds at Popovice, part of Beroun and Děd Mountain; when planning your visit, bear in mind that visibility depends on the weather. This offers a different perspective on the surrounding area from the information panels and karst formations on the Zlatý kůň nature trail: here the focus is on the summit and its views, while there it is on the protected area and its natural and archaeological history.

Málkov itself also has historical connections. Historical sources first mention the village in 1548, and several old farmhouses contribute to its historic character. A small belfry with a small bell sits on the roof of Málkov’s chapel. A sycamore maple, also called Javor mléč, stands beside house no. 7 in the centre of the village. These details belong to the village itself, while the ruin on Koukolova hora and the hillfort on the Kotýz Plateau are in the surrounding area.

Lejškov: Former Quarries and Habitats

Several small limestone quarries were once worked on the slopes of Lejškov. The open former quarries provide a habitat for heat-loving plant and animal species; there is also steppe vegetation on the slopes. An abandoned adit serves as a refuge for a bat colony. Do not enter abandoned underground structures. Lejškov thus reveals not only the landscape but also the connection between former land use and the habitats that have developed in the areas left open.

For planning purposes, the different themes can be clearly distinguished: the 5.2-kilometre nature trail has a stated route length and moderate difficulty; the Zlatý kůň nature trail runs mostly through two protected areas and has information panels and interactive elements. Other highlights include the view from Koukolova hora, the rock arches along the Kotýz section and traces of former quarrying at Lejškov. Which of these aspects you focus on depends on whether you are most interested in trails, karst, views or local history.

Discover more destinations: Nový Jáchymov, Lážovice, Vinařice, Koněprusy, Stašov, Podluhy, Chrustenice, Zadní Treban.

For the broader travel overview: Beroun District.