Along the Greenway to Malá Skála returning via Frýdštejn – a 23 km tour
- This walk has two parts – an essentially flat section of 10km along the Jizera river valley using the Greeenway cycle trail to reach Malá Skála, and then a 13km section leading up the extraordinary Vranov ridge, past the ruins of Vranov and Frýdštejn castles, returning to Turnov through the Drábovna rock city.
- The initial river valley section passes the photogenic Baroque chateau of Hrubý Rohozec, and the interesting 17th century farmhouse of Dlaskův statek
- The walk starts from the town of Turnov, which is itself worth a visit, especially for its well organized Museum of Český ráj
- The walk could be split by taking a regional train (or bus) from Turnov to Malá Skála, and returning to Turnov either on the flat 10 km Greenway trail (following the outbound route in reverse) or on the 13 km rock route using the Vranov ridge trail
- The Greenway trail is mostly on quiet asphalt paths, while the Vranov ridge return route is on sometimes steep but good forest paths. There is a total of 380m height gained/lost on the 23km route
- There are refreshment options at several spots on the route, including at Dolánky, Malá Skála and Frýdštejn
“The Greenway Jizera is a brilliant marked cycle path along the Jizera valley, but it is not for the exclusive use of cyclists. Walkers can use it too! In this walk, I have used it as the best way to reach Malá Skála from Turnov, and from there the route heads off into territory even the keenist cyclist would struggle on – the Vranov ridge, followed by the quiet Drábovna rock city, two very different examples of the superb sandstone rock areas to the north of Turnov.”
Directions
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, and there connect to the RED trail and follow this towards Hrubý Rohozec. At the end of the walk follow the YELLOW trail from the car park to the train station. The walk is extended by approximately 1.6 km if travelling by train
- The map directions for this walk start at the bus terminal car park. This car park, located close to the river, is large and free. Other (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
- Leave the railway bridge still following the Jizera Greenway cycle track, cross under the railway and follow the Greenway for a further 4.4 km to reach the bridge across the Jizera at Malá Skála. Here there is an option to visit the famous pub/restaurant of Boučkův statek
- From Boučkův statek, take the YELLOW trail down the main street to the Malá Skála – kap signpost and there take the RED trail. Follow this alongside the river for 500m, and cross the river on the footbridge to reach the Malá skála parking area
- From the car park take the RED trail (behind the Pizzeria) steeply up to the castle of Vranov , diverting briefly to the left to visit the impressively airy lookout point vyhlídka Zahrádka and then on to the castle itself
- From Vranov continue on the RED trail up the impressive sandstone ridge. After 1.7km reach the medieval castle of Frýdštejn
- From Frýdštejn continue on the RED trail, initially on the road and then turning into the forest, following signs for Drábovna
- 300m after leaving the road there is small detour to the Pantheon viewpoint, at the beginning of the Drábovna rock city
- After 800m reach the signpost of Nad Malou Skálou. Continue on the RED trail through the rock formations, crossing the main road and continuing on the RED trail towards Dolánky ( which is reached approximately 4.2 km from Nad Malou Skálou)
- At Dolánky, pass again the Dlaskův statek open air folk muzeum and after 300m turn onto the BLUE trail and cross the Jizera river via a footbridge
- After 200m, just before the footbridge across the canal turn right 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