The Czech Republic-Tips for the trips-Jizerské hory – on bike
Jizerské hory are a biker’s paradise. The many plateaus located several thousands of metres above sea level are best tackled with a cross-terrain or mountain bike. Hundreds of kilometres of back highways covered in excellent asphalt complement the flatstone and gravel forest descents and the adventurous paths built throughout this impressive terrain.
All roads in this nature preserve are reserved only for tourists (hikers) and cyclists. Cars can only travel on a small number of back roads that connect small mountain villages to the outside world.
Region of lookout points
A touristic specificity of the Jizerské Hory area is the large number of lookout points. They were built together by local nobility, townships, and local social groups devoted to improving the local mountain landscapes.The most important of these points was constructed from massive stone blocks with a glass-enclosed lookout point on top of a plateau. Restaurants ready to offer tourists and cyclists their services occupy the base of the lookout point. A number of marked tourist trails lead to each of the lookout points from the surrounding area
Don`t miss:
Kristiánov – museum of traditional glass production right in the middle of the forest; famous glass spires and decoration for lamps made by this local glass factory became a renowned world export commodity as early as 1775.
Hejnice – the monastic church built on an old pilgrimage site, where allegedly in the year 1211 two angels appeared to an old craftsman. Since that time thousands of pilgrims have overcome the perilous paths leading to this site, both from across the mountains of Bohemia and the forests of Germany.Štolpich – a mountain road, with many granite retainer walls and small bridges, built a hundred years ago without a single sack of cement.
Jizerka – a small village surrounded by mountain meadows and the Safírový (Saphire) Stream has been a common stop for unsuccessful prospectors of precious metals and successful seekers of semiprecious stones since the 16th century.
Ještěd – the hotel and restaurant in the shape of a rotating cone designed by architect, Karel Hubáček, makes up a landmark visible to half of Bohemia. The building was proclaimed the most beautiful Czech construction of the 20th century.
Liberec – regional capital, whose city centre was developed by modern Functionalist architects for most of the 20th century. Today lovers of water sports travel to the city to enjoy the attractions at one of the city`s two aqua parks..
