Malá Chuchle – Educational Trail, Forest and History

Malá Chuchle is a destination for travellers who want to combine nature observation, a thematically diverse educational trail and traces of history in a single stay. The area is particularly engaging along the NS Chuchelský háj educational trail, which combines nature, knowledge and four thematic perspectives.

Educational trail with a clear route and four thematic areas

The NS Chuchelský háj educational trail begins at the Malá Chuchle bus stop and runs for 3.5 km to the Velká Chuchle bus stop. The route connects these two stops. The educational trail has nine information stations covering botanical, zoological, geological and historical topics. As a result, the route is not limited to a single perspective on nature, but combines plants, animals, the history of the Earth and the history of the area. The starting point of the educational trail is near the Malá Chuchle bus stop. From Smíchovské nádraží, the Malá Chuchle stop can be reached by Prague bus lines 129, 241, 244, 314 or 318.

Chuchelský háj, forest zoo and nature conservation

The Chuchelský háj Nature Reserve was designated in 1982 over an area of 60.6 ha to protect natural forest communities and thermophilous rock vegetation. The term refers to plants adapted to and occurring in warm rocky habitats. In addition, the Zookoutek Malá Chuchle forest zoo is located near the forester's lodge in Chuchelský háj. It is freely accessible year-round. More than 30 animal species can currently be seen at Zookoutek Malá Chuchle. Environmental education programmes for schools are also held there, focusing on wild animals and their protection. Alongside the educational trail, animals and nature conservation issues therefore stand as independent topics.

Springs and a special topographical distinction

The Mariánský pramen spring is considered one of the most important springs in the Prague capital area. Mariánský pramen and Mariánská studánka are not located in the same place: the actual spring is 50 m higher than Mariánská studánka, in a side ravine to the west beneath the altar of the cave chapel of the Virgin Mary. The difference in elevation and the location in the side ravine also distinguish the two spring sites spatially.

Church and industrial heritage

The history of Malá Chuchle includes the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Pacold Lime Kiln. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Malá Chuchle is documented as a parish church as early as 1264. The Baroque Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary has stood in Chuchelský háj since 1774. The Pacold Lime Kiln is a preserved industrial rarity from the second half of the 19th century. Together with the church, it reveals another historical side of Malá Chuchle. Other destinations in Prague include Prague 2, Strašnice, Komořany, Prague-Troja, Prague 4, Prague 7, Újezd Nad Lesy and Prague 3.

For the higher-level travel overview: Prague.