North of the city the Jizera Mountains offer a playground of granite peaks and deep pine woods. You are looking at the iconic Ještěd tower which sits like a spaceship on top of a mountain. The Liberec region is famous for its glass making heritage where tiny mountain huts once produced world class crystal. Narrow roads twist through the forest leading to secret waterfalls and quiet mountain lakes. The granite outcrops provide a natural staircase to some of the best panoramas in the northern part of the land. Small glass beads can still be found in the sand of the mountain streams near the old workshops.
The southern part of the region holds the Bohemian Paradise area filled with sand and rock. Massive rock towers rise from the forest floor providing nesting spots for rare birds. You can explore the ruins of Trosky Castle where two stone towers sit on ancient volcanic plugs. Every turn in the road reveals a new vista of fairy tale cliffs and dark green pine needles. Hike through the narrow stone cracks of the Drábské světničky to find old rooms carved directly into the living rock. The sandy paths feel soft underfoot as you navigate through the labyrinth of massive stone pillars.
Travelers here find a rugged spirit shaped by winter snow and mountain winds. You can visit traditional glass blowing furnaces or hike to the source of the Jizera River. The area is packed with hiking trails that turn into snowy paths during the colder months. It is a land of crystal clear views and stone giants that invites you to climb higher at every stop. Drive the scenic route over the ridges to see the light reflect off the glass roofs of the valley towns. The local cuisine is hearty and built for mountain life with plenty of locally picked mushrooms and wild berries.
Liberec (region) highlights
- Ještěd Tower: This iconic structure sits on a mountain peak and serves as both a television transmitter and a futuristic hotel. It is the most famous landmark in the north and offers a road that spirals up to incredible heights.
- Trosky Castle Ruins: Two massive stone towers sit on ancient volcanic plugs and can be seen from miles away across the landscape. They are the primary symbol of the Bohemian Paradise driving route and offer a steep climb for great views.
- Prachov Rocks: This rock city features narrow cracks and tall sandstone pillars that are perfect for a morning of exploration. The roads around the park are lined with pine trees and offer glimpses of the dramatic rock walls.
- Máchovo Jezero: This large lake is surrounded by sandy beaches and deep pine woods making it a popular summer destination. You can drive to the nearby Bezděz Castle to see a massive gothic fortress sitting on a lonely hill.
- Frýdlant Castle: One of the largest and most complex castle sites in the country, it combines a medieval fortress with a renaissance palace. The drive to the northern border takes you through quiet forests and over small mountain ridges.
- Sychrov Chateau: A neo gothic palace famous for its beautiful wood carvings and a large park that hosts traditional Scottish games. It is a very elegant stop that feels like a piece of Britain in the heart of Bohemia.
- Hrubá Skála: This chateau is built directly on top of massive sandstone cliffs overlooking a sea of green forest. The road through the Hruboskalsko area offers some of the most dramatic cliff views in the entire region.
- Bohemian Glass Trail: Follow the small roads through the Jizera Mountains to find traditional glass workshops and crystal showrooms. This Jizera Mountains road trip highlight allows you to see artisans working with fire and molten glass.
- Grabštejn Castle: A hidden gem near the border where the three countries meet, featuring a beautiful chapel and great views. The surrounding area is quiet and perfect for those looking to avoid the main tourist crowds.
- Mumlavský Waterfall: These wide waterfalls are located near the town of Harrachov and are easily accessible by a short walk from the road. The water tumbles over massive granite blocks and creates a powerful sound in the mountain forest.
The local Four
History of Liberec (region)
The northernmost corner of the country, the Liberec region, is where the art of glassmaking has flourished in forest workshops for over seven hundred years. Early artisans used the pure sand and abundant wood of the Jizera mountains to create delicate beads and grand chandeliers that eventually decorated the palaces of kings across the globe. This tradition of the Crystal Valley is still very much alive with master craftsmen using the same fire and blowing pipes as their medieval ancestors.
Rising above the glassmaking villages is the iconic silhouette of the Ještěd mountain which has served as a landmark for travelers since the days of the first trade routes. The modern spire that sits on its peak today is a symbol of twentieth century innovation built to look like a ship from another world landing on the mountain crest. The winding roads that lead up to this height provide a dramatic journey through a landscape of dark forests and hidden volcanic peaks.
In the heart of the region the Bohemian Paradise offers a maze of sandstone towers and ancient castle ruins that have inspired poets and painters for generations. These rock cities were once hideouts for outlaws and rebels who used the narrow cracks and hidden caves to evade capture in the dense woods. A road trip through Liberec is a journey through a landscape where human creativity and geological wonder are permanently fused together in stone and glass.