The Skryje Lakes
In the western part of the Křivoklát protected landscape area, in the Zbirožský brook valley, there are two lakes with a waterfall, which share their name with the local nature reserve Skryje Lakes, which covers an area of about 60 hectares.
The lakes are one of the most sought-after places in the Křivoklát district, located near the village of Skryje, made famous by the palaeontologist and engineer Joachim Barrande and where the Týřov Castle ruins stand nearby. The lakes lie at an altitude of 270 metres and are only a short distance from each other. Each of them is approximately 30 metres wide and together they cover an area of around 150 m².
The Zbirožský Brook, which is one of the tributaries of the Berounka River, flows through the lakes. The upper lake lies just below the Skryjský waterfall, partly surrounded by rock walls and partly open access. The lower lake lies a few metres down among the trees. The most attractive place is the rock passage formed on the local stream, which is topped off with a waterfall.
The Skryje Lakes are freely accessible to visitors all year round and can be reached by a pleasant walk either from the village of Skryje or from the village of Podmokelský mlýn. Whichever way you choose to walk to the lakes, you’ll be rewarded by the beautiful surrounding nature, tranquillity and the sounds of the gurgling brook. In addition, the nature reserve is home to many rare species of plants and animals; if you’re lucky, you may come across a kingfisher, an otter or a crayfish.