Four walks along the Jizera river from Turnov (5 to 17 km long)

Four walks along the Jizera river from Turnov (5 to 17 km long)

• There are many options for paths along and near the river Jizera. Some of the most attractive are in the section from Turnov towards Malá Skála, passing the photogenic Baroque chateau of Hrubý Rohozec, and the interesting 17th century farmhouse of Dlaskův statek
• These four walks all start from the town centre of Turnov, which is itself worth a visit, especially for its well organized Museum of Český ráj
• The two shorter walks (5 km and 6 km) essentially cover the same ground, but the slightly longer version takes in both sides of the Jizera, allowing an optional visit to Hrubý Rohozec (note: steep steps up to the chateau)
• The 12km walk covers the same ground as the 5km walk and then extends to the next section of the Jizera after Dlaskův statek
• The 17km walk covers the same ground as the 12km walk but extends it with a loop into the intricate and fascinating Besedické rock formations and past the rock castle of Zbiroh
• The walks (except for the 17km version) are mostly along flat paths or quiet asphalt roads and are suitable for walkers with baby strollers/prams.
• Refreshments should be available in Turnov and near Dlaskův statek (and for the two longer walks also at the popular pub Zrcadlová koza, or the nearby Hospůdka V Oudolí)

Note: if travelling to Turnov by train, from Turnov main station take the YELLOW trail towards the town centre. After 800m reach the bridge over the Jizera. For the two longer walks turn onto the RED trail and follow this towards Hrubý Rohozec. For the two shorter walks, continue on the YELLOW trail to the bus station car park and pick up the walking directions from there. At the end of the walk follow the YELLOW trail from the car park to the train station. The walks described below are extended by approximately 1.6 km if travelling by train.

Directions (4.8km walk, completely flat, from Turnov to Dlaskův statek and back )

• Start and finish the walk at one of the Turnov town centre car parks. The car park at the bus terminal, near the river is large and free, and is used in the map directions. Other convenient (paid) parking areas are on the town square and at Havlíčkovo náměstí. Before (or after) the walk, take the chance to visit the excellent Museum of Český ráj just off the town squate if you have the time. The innovative exhibition of mountaineering is definitely worth a visit.
• From the car park take the red marked cycle path (the Greenway) to the north in the direction of Dolánky.
• The trail follows an asphalt path and after 400m reaches the attractive Malá Jizera canal, which is followed for 1.4 km until reaching a junction when the trail joins the BLUE hiking path (to the right there is a footbridge over the canal) .
• Turn left and follow the BLUE trail for 300m, crossing over the Jizera river on the bridge
• Turn right onto the RED trail and in 250m reach the 18th century farmhouse Dlaskův statek, which is open to the public as a folk museum. This path also passes the attractive restaurant Ábelův mlýn, 50m from the bridge
• Return back to Turnov along the outbound route (along the canal) or alternatively, for the final 1 km, branch off the canal path to the right and follow the bank of the river on the track which runs along the edge of the wide pasture (nice views of the chateau of Hrubý Rohozec)

Directions (5.6 km walk, mostly flat, from Turnov to Dlaskův statek and back, but with option to visit Hrubý Rohozec chateau)

• Start and finish the walk at one of the Turnov town centre car parks. The car park at the bus terminal, near the river is large and free, and is used in the map directions. Other convenient (paid) parking areas are on the town square and at Havlíčkovo náměstí. Before (or after) the walk, take the chance to visit the excellent Museum of Český ráj just off the town squate if you have the time. The innovative exhibition of mountaineering is definitely worth a visit.
• From the car park take the red marked cycle path (the Greenway) to the north in the direction of Dolánky.
• The trail follows an asphalt path and after 400m reaches the attractive Malá Jizera canal, which is followed for 1.4 km until reaching a junction when the trail joins the BLUE hiking path (to the right there is a footbridge over the canal) .
• Turn left and follow the BLUE trail for 300m, crossing over the Jizera river on the bridge
• Turn right onto the RED trail and in 250m reach the 18th century farmhouse Dlaskův statek, which is open to the public as a folk museum. This path also passes the attractive restaurant Ábelův mlýn, 50m from the bridge
• From Dlaskův statek return back along the RED trail and at the bridge across the Jizera, keep going on the RED trail (ie the opposite side of the river from the outbound walk)
• The trail passes close to the sandstone cliffs, eroded by the action of the Jizera over several million years. After 1.3 km reach the bottom of steep steps leading up to the chateau of Hrubý Rohozec. Climb the steps if wanting to visit the Baroque chateau and its attractive garden and then return back down the steps after the visit
• Continue along the RED trail for 1.3km to reach the bridge over the Jizera. Turn left over the bridge, following the YELLOW trail back to the car park

Directions (12.7 km walk, mostly flat, extends the 5.6 km walk with a further section of riverside path)

• Start and finish the walk at one of the Turnov town centre car parks. The car park at the bus terminal, near the river is large and free, and is used in the map directions. Other convenient (paid) parking areas are on the town square and at Havlíčkovo náměstí. Before (or after) the walk, take the chance to visit the excellent Museum of Český ráj just off the town squate if you have the time. The innovative exhibition of mountaineering is definitely worth a visit.
• From the car park take the YELLOW trail in the direction of the rover along the Na Lukách street
• After 400m cross the Jizera on the road bridge and immediately turn right onto the RED trail (direction Hrubý Rohozec)
• After 1.4m reach the bottom of the steps leading up to the chateau of Hrubý Rohozec. Climb the steps if wanting to visit the Baroque chateau and its attractive garden and then return back down the steps after the visit
• Continue along the RED trail for 1.4 km Turn right to reach the 18th century farmhouse Dlaskův statek, which is open to the public as a folk museum. This path also passes the attractive restaurant Ábelův mlýn, 200m before the farmhouse
• From Dlaskův statek continue along the asphalt path which is marked as a green cycle path (the Jizera Greenway)
• After 2.6km the path crosses the Jizera river on a railway bridge. Take this bridge alongside the railway.
• 200m after crossing the river turn, the Greenway cycle trail leaves the railway to join a farm road. The Greenway trail goes left under the railway. Do not follow the Greenway but instead turn right on the farm road which leads up to the village of Rakousy (and the signpost Rakousy – bus)
• At the Rakousy – bus sign turn right onto the GREEN hiking trail and follow the road for 2.1 km to reach the cycling signpost of Nad Zrcadlovou kozou. Continue on the GREEN trail for a further 1 km to reach the popular pub Zrcadlová koza, and the next door Hospůdka V Oudolí
• From the pubs, continue on the GREEN trail for 1.2 km to reach a footbridge over the canal (where the BLUE hiking trail is also met). Cross the footbridge (on the BLUE trail ) and immediately turn left onto the Greenway red marked cycle trail which follows alongside the canal. Continue on this asphalt path for 1.7 km back to the car park

Directions (17.3 km walk, with 360m of height gained/lost. Extends the 12.7 km walk with a loop into the Besedické sandstone rock formations)

• Start and finish the walk at one of the Turnov town centre car parks. The car park at the bus terminal, near the river is large and free, and is used in the map directions. Other convenient (paid) parking areas are on the town square and at Havlíčkovo náměstí. Before (or after) the walk, take the chance to visit the excellent Museum of Český ráj just off the town squate if you have the time. The innovative exhibition of mountaineering is definitely worth a visit.
• From the car park take the YELLOW trail in the direction of the rover along the Na Lukách street
• After 400m cross the Jizera on the road bridge and immediately turn right onto the RED trail (direction Hrubý Rohozec)
• After 1.4m reach the bottom of the steps leading up to the chateau of Hrubý Rohozec. Climb the steps if wanting to visit the Baroque chateau and its attractive garden and then return back down the steps after the visit
• Continue along the RED trail for 1.4 km Turn right to reach the 18th century farmhouse Dlaskův statek, which is open to the public as a folk museum. This path also passes the attractive restaurant Ábelův mlýn, 200m before the farmhouse
• From Dlaskův statek continue along the asphalt path which is marked as a green cycle path (the Jizera Greenway)
• After 2.6km the path crosses the Jizera river on a railway bridge. Take this bridge alongside the railway.
• 200m after crossing the river turn, the Greenway cycle trail leaves the railway to join a farm road. The Greenway trail goes left under the railway. Do not follow the Greenway but instead turn right on the farm road which leads up to the village of Rakousy (and the signpost Rakousy – bus)
• At the Rakousy – bus sign turn left onto the GREEN hiking trail (direction Zbiroh). Follow this trail up the hill for 1.5 km to reach the castle ruins of Zbiroh
• From Zbiroh, continue on the GREEN trail for 900m to reach the signpost of U tůňky. From there take the BLUE trail in the direction Kalich
• The trail continues for 800m through the intricate and fascinating Besedické rock formations. After leaving the rock formations continue for 150m to reach the U Kalicha signpost.
• At U Kalicha turn right onto the YELLOW trail and follow this for 2.1 km to reach the Betlémský mlýn – bus signpost. There turn onto the GREEN trail and follow this for 1.5 km to reach the popular pub Zrcadlová koza, and the next door Hospůdka V Oudolí
• From the pubs, continue on the GREEN trail for 1.2 km to reach a footbridge over the canal (where the BLUE hiking trail is also met). Cross the footbridge (on the BLUE trail ) and immediately turn left onto the Greenway red marked cycle trail which follows alongside the canal. Continue on this asphalt path for 1.7 km back to the car park