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Paula's Valley - Czech republic

Educational path

Paula's Valley

Locality type: Educational path

Continent: Europe

State (country): Czech republic

Place:

This one day excursion could be started from the square of the town Česká Kamenice, from cross-roads sign-post, situated at railway station building. You follow green marked tourist trail, leading you up to the village of Jetřichovice. The way passes the community of Kunratice, you can see swimming pool. Except of bathing, you can enter a forest on your left part. You follow the path, arriving to the way shortly afterthat. On your left side, you see the rests of cemetery walls, tombs and statues. You came just towards former Sudeten cemetery. After you enjoy this special „genius loci“, you continue your walk towards Jetřichovice. You turn to the right, passing a meadow, reaching a forest. You shortly arrive a meadow, where you can watch in detail two bunkers.

Green marked tourist trail leads you violently downstairs. You go straight ahead, as you reach camping place with swimming pool in Jetřichovice. And from here, you start your walk, following red marked tourist trail, into Paula´s Valley. You pass sandstone canyon, 3,5 kms long, along Chřibská Kamenice-river, and you cross the river by means of several small bridges. You pass rocky paths from time to time. The valley is nature reservation, and the access for cyclists is not allowed. You can see here several sorts of protected plants, such as touch-me-not, or white fir-woods. As far as the animals and birds are concerned, you can watch river otters, mountain wagtails, mountain chamois, black storks, river kingfishers or water dippers.

Immediately afterthat, you arrive to sign-post, and you continue your way, following red marked tourist trail, towards the community of Studený. Not far from here, you reach so called „Mathew Bridge“, with sign-post to the community of Lipnice. The distance from here, following a road, leads you to Kunratice. Provided you feel tired, your excursion could be shortened. On the other hand, who has the wish to go ahead, he could continue his way, passing Stará pila (Old Saw-Mill) towards the village of Studený. So, here, you can see, except monument to killed persons during 2nd World War, also the other monument, dedicated to victims of three-days fights of Austrian and Prussian soldiers during 19th-21st July 1757. This was bloody encounter, and many soldiers were buried here. Till 1945, this place was known as „Cakrt´s Tombs“.

At bus stop, you find finger-post. From here, you continue your way, following red marked tourist trail, in direction to the community of Jedlová. After Studený, just before violent mounting, you can see two bunkers, and later, one more construction of such type. After 4 kms of walking, you pass a branch-way towards Studenec basaltic hill (736 m). Here, you can find the second oldest look out tower in Czech Republic, built in 1854. Anyway, the building is reconstructed since 4th December 2008. Nevertheless, this circular view is really worth to see. From look out tower, you have to return towards the way in direction to Jedlová. You arrive, after 1 km of walk, to crossroads, and you follow blue tourist trail, which is leading you ahead together with red marked trail. You walk through picturesque village of Líska ahead, directly to the town of Česká Kamenice. This way leads down from the hill or you can choose another way, going along plain. You walk throughout Líska, this is village-skansen. Anyway, you have to continue your way along busy road, and shortly afterthat, you reach a forest. But immediately, at the beginning on your right part, you can see very poor rests of another Sudeten-German cemetery. This way leads you across sandstones, Brethren Altars and Jehla (Needle) look out tower up to Česká Kamenice. In these places, there are to be found Ponorka View and small Cross Path. However, these poits are outside the route, and it is difficult to look for it . Nevertheless, you can try it , in opposite case, you reach Kunratice.

From another point of view, the area around communities of Líska and Kunratice is quite interesting. So called Seven Year War touched this territory. Within 18th-20th July 1757, one month after victory battle near Kolín, severe struggles were effected here.

Prussian Army tried to pass this place with many pieces of luggage, ammunition and supplies, via Horní Kamenice and Líska to Chřibská, and further to the north. However, in upper part of Líska-village, the Prussians had perseverantly to fight for their carriages, full of ammunition and supplies.

This train was illuminated with torches and lanternes, so, it was no problem for Austrian General Beck, to attack Prussians from three parts. The Prussians created carriage rampart and asked for a help from Chřibská. So, on 19th July, there were effected battles – between communities of Líska and Kunratice – with changeable success. The fights continued till the next day, and finally, the Prussians had to pull off. It is said, that some Prussian carriages, including treasuries, finished in swamps. The losses were enormous, even Chřibská Chronicle mentions a „heap of dead bodies“. All dead bodies (more than 1200 persons) were buried on forest glade. Here, later, there was built gamekeeper´s house, when the road from Česká Kamenice to Chřibska was constructed. The place obtained the name „U Křížového Buku“ (At Cross Beech-Wood). However,the beech-tree was turned upside down and also the cross was changed. So, a tradition of cross changes was stated, and it is kept even until now. It happened for the last time in July 2007, on occasion of 250th anniversary of these struggles.

Before you reach Křížový Buk, following red marked tourist trail, you could use branch-line towards neo-volcanic hill of Zlatý vrch (Golden Hill-657 m). It is rocky formation. Till 1960, the stone was excavated here, and it was exported to the Netherlands, for hardening of piers. You can see here not only former quarry but also very nice basaltic formations, so called organs. They are more attractive as neighbour formation Panská skála. Anyway the simpliest access is just from Líska, and you can fully enjoy here wonderful views.

Křížový Buk is a solitude standing house in a col. On a glade, in the middle of forests, you find former game-keeper´s house, built by Kinsky Count. Not far from here, so called Hitler´s bunkr is to be found. More detailed information about this construction, as well as about other buildings in neighbourhood, and about 2nd World War in general, could be received directly in former game keepers´s house, where small museum is placed. All your questions could be replied by experienced local guide. Here, you can also buy, at cheap price-level, the trousers of local production (from CZK 500,- up to CZK 800,-).

Finally, from Křížový Buk, you continue your way, following green marked tourist trail, towards Mlýny, local part of the community of Kytlice, along small Kamenice river. In past, there was the village of glass-manufacturers, colonized since 16th century. Now, it is great holiday area. You reach Kytlice, going along the road, at branch-path, you can reach nature theatre, surrounded with rocks and forests. Kytlice is holiday and relax village, with glass-production tradition. Originally, it was colonized by Saxonian glass-workers in 16th century. The community obtained its name according to Josepf Kittel, one of these workers. You can admire here typical and characteristic people´s houses. Kytlice village was chosen, as summer seat, by several famous personalities, such as Miroslav Horníček, Vlastimil Brodský, Pavel Landovský or Jiří Rak, historian. When you continue your walk straight ahead along the road, you arrive to railway station. From here, you can return to Česká Kamenice.

Who prefers running, so he could the whole route (or some parts, at least) to overcome, running. Local terrain is soft and hilly, it is an ideal training for cross races.