Liberec between the Jizera Mountains, peat bogs and cultural heritage

The Liberec Region (Liberecký kraj) brings together mountain landscapes, peat bogs and cultural sites. It includes Krkonošský národní park and five protected landscape areas: České středohoří, Jizerské hory, Lužické hory, Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj and Český ráj.

Mountain landscapes and peat bogs

The Jizerské hory Protected Landscape Area encompasses the mountains and their foothills between Liberec, Frýdlant, Nové Město pod Smrkem, Kořenov, Tanvald and Jablonec nad Nisou. In the Czech part, Smrk is the highest mountain, at 1,124 metres; from its viewpoint, you can see Poland, the Frýdlantsko region, the Krkonoše Mountains and the northern part of Jizerské hory.

Jizerka is a scattered settlement whose landscape includes Bukovec and the Rašeliniště Jizerky peat bog. Nature trails offer insights into the area. One route to the Jizera River passes through former primeval forest and can be combined with visits to the Klečové louky and Na Čihadle peat bogs. The landscape of Jizerské hory is also shaped by ancient mountain spruce forests, peat bogs, meadows, pastures and scattered rural settlements.

The Jizerskohorské bučiny Nature Reserve was included in the UNESCO World Heritage site “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe” in 2021. In Lužické hory, the European long-distance trails E10 and E3 cross the mountains. As detailed trail conditions can change, it is best to check them before setting out.

Glassmaking, museums and castles

The region’s architectural heritage includes preserved folk architecture as well as industrial and residential buildings associated with the textile and glass industries. In Křišťálové údolí, visits to glassworks, glass factories and other businesses offer opportunities to meet glassmakers and jewellers in person.

The Muzeum Českého ráje in Turnov features exhibitions on rock climbing on sandstone formations and on minerals, including Czech garnets. Trosky Castle stands on an isolated volcanic rock formation and was founded on basalt rocks in the late 14th century.

The basic tour of Lemberk Castle includes the Bajkový sál, with its Renaissance coffered ceiling dating from 1610. The “Zámek knížete Kamila” route at Sychrov shows the interiors of the Rohan family’s summer residence from the second half of the 19th century. Paths in Sychrov’s English-style park lead to viewing pavilions and benches. Check the current availability of the castle tours mentioned before your visit.

Activities in different seasons

The seasons affect activities in different ways: Máchovo jezero offers boat trips, which may operate seasonally, as well as walks around the lake. Ski resorts and cross-country ski trails in Český ráj, on the other hand, depend on suitable winter conditions. If one of these activities is important to your trip, take the relevant seasonal conditions into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Okres Liberec, Okres Semily, Okres Česká Lípa, Okres Jablonec Nad Nisou, South Bohemian Region, Moravian-Silesian Region, Pardubice, Karlovy Vary.

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