VIEWS IN THE JIZERSKOHORSKÉ BUCHINE

Granite rocks and rock formations will accompany you at every step in the Jizera Mountains beech forests. In the "sea" of majestic beech trees, rocky lookouts rise up, inviting you to conquer them - the reward is a breathtaking view of the landscape, rugged ridges and ravines.

viewpoint

Noonstones, Frýdlant battlements and the Hajní church

The highest peak of the Jizera Mountains beech forests is the Polední kameny, which offers a view of the Frýdlantský výběžek as well as the surrounding peaks and landscape of the Jizera Mountains. It is a distinctive rock ridge formed by granite formations, which extends above the Frýdlantské cimbuří rock lookout and forms one of the most impressive natural complexes of the Jizera Mountains.

viewpoint 1

If you head to Polední kameny from Bílé Potok, you won't miss the Frýdlantské cimbuří - a set of distinctive rock towers resembling rock walls. On the western peak there is a modified lookout, accessible by an iron ladder with a railing. The lookout offers a panoramic view of the Jizera Mountains, the Smědá valley and the ravine of Černý potok. At the peak there is a cross, which was restored after being struck by lightning in 1996.

In the lower part of the Polední kameny massif, there is an accessible rock lookout point called Hajní kostel. This place is surrounded by a number of legends. According to one of them, this place was created by the collapse of a church that used to stand here. According to another, pagan rituals took place at this place. In the rocks, there are so-called sacrificial bowls that could have been used for rituals. However, it is more likely that they were hollowed out by water into the hard granite, similar to other places in the Jizera Mountains.

You can also combine a visit to the rocky viewpoints of the Polední kameny massif with a hike to the Černý Potok waterfall, the sound of which will accompany you for most of the way from the direction of Bílý Potok. This waterfall is one of the most impressive and massive in the Jizera Mountains. At its highest point, the water falls with a drop of up to seven meters over a characteristic boulder wedged in the center of the waterfall, which divides the stream into two dramatic branches.

Špičák and the Rock Castle

On the western side of the Jizera Mountains beech forests, you can visit the Špičák peak, which is reached by the Natural Forest educational trail from Oldřichovské sedlo. On the route, you will also come across another rock lookout called the Rock Castle and you will not miss the iconic Gorila rock.

The rock castle did not originally have only a lookout function — some sources say that there was a guard or defensive structure (fortress or castle) here, protecting the route between Liberec and Frýdlant. The castle offers views of the Frýdlant region and Špičák itself.

Rocky castle

The views from Špičák are not completely clear today — the trees partially obscure the panorama, but just below

At the top you will find "open places" with a good view of Ještěd and the surrounding area.

The Hermit's Stone, Ořešník and the Velký Štolpich Waterfall

From Hejnice you can go to the lower rocky viewpoint Poustevníkův kámen, from which you will have an extraordinary view of the city and the entire slope of the Jizera Mountains Beech Forest.

A pleasant trip also awaits you on the way to Ořešník. The viewpoint is equipped with a metal railing, which ensures safety, and thanks to the open space, you can fully enjoy the beauty of the local landscape. The top of the rock is decorated with a cross, reminiscent of the strong spiritual bond of this place with the nearby monastery and pilgrimage church. However, the top of the Ořešník viewpoint is not entirely easy to climb.

Rocks

Part of the path leads along stone steps, and in some places the sections are more challenging. In case of bad weather, consider safety and the ascent to

the peak itself. You can extend your trip to Ořešník to the Velký Štolpich waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls in the Czech Republic. It reaches a height of 30 m and is made up of several smaller cascades, the highest of which reaches a height of around 4.5 meters.

The scythe

One of the most beautiful points and peaks in the Jizera Mountains beech forests is definitely Paličník. It lies on the western edge of Klínový vrch, between the valleys of the Hájený potok and Smědá. The rock is equipped with ladders, railings and a footbridge, which allow you to safely bridge the deep rock chasm. At the top there is a wooden cross and a stone platform. The view includes the valleys of the Smědá, Hájený potok and the surrounding peaks such as Ořešník, Frýdlantské cimbuří and the Jizera.

Forrest

The most accessible route is from Bílý Potok, but for more experienced tourists there is also a route from Lázně Libverda in front of the Hubertka cottage.

Cat stones and via ferrata at the Hubertka cottage

Near the Hubertka cottage, which is located on the route between Bílý Potok and Lázně Libverda, we find the Kočičí kameny rock. From here, a beautiful view of Bílý Potok and the northern slopes of the Jizera Mountains opens up.

Via ferrata

For lovers of light adventure, there is also an easily accessible and easy via ferrata, 70 m long and 25 m in elevation, which leads along the Kočičí kameny rock.