Jizerské Mountains - Czech republic

Jizerské Mountains are the most northern mountain range of Czech Republic. The mountains derive its name  according to the river of Jizera, springing on slopes of Smrk, being the highest  point of these mountains. The mountains were originally considered as a western  extremity of Krkonoše (Giant Mountains). Its essential part is situated in Poland, where you can find the highest point of these mountains  (Wysoka Kopa).

Around the mountains there are situated the towns , such as Liberec, Frýdlant, Nové Město pod Smrkem, Desná , Tanvald and Jablonec nad Nisou.

Articles

CZ, Jizerské Mountains – Crosskiing Season

Published: 20.2.2024

Downhill skiing or snowboarding is probably not waiting for us this year, but cross-country skiers also offer great variety in these times. Today we will go to the Jizera Mountains. Cross-country skiing conditions are great, tracks beautifully prepared.

We park in a public car park next to the Souš dam, the parking fee is CZK 50 per day. A bus also builds a bit further. We continue on foot for about one kilometer along Souše, which lies on the river Černá Desná. The river then flows through the landscape to the town of Desná, where it flows with the river Bílá Desná and with the name Desná it flows to Tanvald, where it flows into Kamenice.

After a short walk we get to the barrier next to the hotel Resort Montanie to start the cross-country ski trail. We cross-country ski for less than six kilometers on a wide route leading to the U Studánky signpost. From here it is possible to go either to the right to the famous mountain cottage Smědava, where we get along the plain ending with a pleasant descent after about 1.5 kilometers, or we can go left first to the Kasárenská signpost and from there continue over 3 kilometers with a slight climb to the mountain station Knajp. Both Knajpa and Smědava have an open window and you can have a snack here. From Knajpa, you can continue along the Jizerska Highway, further past the Jizera mountain, 1122 m above sea level, and take a three-kilometer descent to reach the Smědava cottage again by a circular path.

You can revive the ride along the Border Road and then return towards Souša, but also along the route leading to the Jizerka cottage. It is open too, but like everywhere else, you can't warm yourself inside. You can also park here, but for twice as much and the road by car to the car park is harder to navigate in worse weather, be sure to have the chains ready in your suitcase. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to pass a car in a ditch with a crew waiting to be towed.

GPS: 50°47'21.4"N 15°19'08.1"E

Text and photos: Veronika Schubertová

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