Jizera Mountains

the east side, and they are neighboring with the “Lužické hory” (Lusatian Mountains) on the west side. The region had been declared the Nature Reserve Area in 1968 (CHKO Jizerské hory). By this act, aside from the unique nature elements, also the valuable folk architecture and the drinking water resources for the entire submountain region and for the cities of Liberec and Jablonec nad Nisou went under the protection of state. The location is characteristic of pine and beech vegetation,peatlands, peat-bog lakelets, granite boulders, and by the variety of faraway vistas. The famous Jizera River heads below the Smrk Mountain and it further flows into the “Labe River” (Elbe River).

History of the permanent settlement in Jizera Mountains started in the 14th century by the German agricultural colonization. During the following period, the development of textile, woodwork, and ore and stone mining industries had started. The beginning of the glass industry developmentwas a significant phenomenon for the entire area. The textile industry went through the further development in the 17th century, and a number of glass factories and grinding shops were built. The further significant changes and the industry development had been initiated during the 19th century, when building the roads and railroad tracks had started. The tourism industry had started developing during this period as well. It was a starting point for erecting the lookout towers and for buildingthe tourist cottages.

During the winter times, the Jizera Mountains become the popular place primarily for its vast number of treated cross-country skiing tracks, from which the “Jizerská magistrála” (Jizera Arterial Road)” is possibly the most renowned. It is literally the cross-country skiing paradise with approximately 44 miles (70 km) of treated cross-country skiing tracks. The downhill skiing resorts like the Ještěd,