Natural attractions and more

The "Burst Dam" (Protržená přehrada) and monument to the disaster on the Bílá Desná: This cultural monument is the remainder of a valley dam which was part of a flood prevention project - the construction of a dam in the Jizera Mountains. Unfortunately, the dam burst on 18th September 1916. 62 people lost their lives in the disaster and the rushing water submerged 33 houses, with another 62 badly damaged. The event is commemorated by a boulder in the centre of Desná with a commemorative plaque that dates back to 1937. There is a tower here to this day and the remains of the embankment can still be seen. The underground passageway that carries water to the neighbouring Souš dam also remains. This passageway is also well-known as a wintertime "residence" for bats. The yellow hiking trail leads to the Burst Dam. Hikers can join this path from the road that runs around Souš dam.

The peaks of the Jizera Mountains: Smrk (1124 m), Jizera (1122 m), Černá hora (1084 m), Holubník (1070 m), Smědavská hora (1083 m), Bukovec (1005 m), Ptačí kupy, Sněžné věžičky, etc.

Jizera (1122 m): The peak of the second highest mountain in the Jizera Mountains is made up of a number of rocks, the southernmost of which has been made into a viewing tower. From here you will experience one of the best 360-degree views possible from the central part of the Jizera Mountains. The Krkonoše Mountains can be seen to the east and the Ještěd Ridge to the southwest.

The Jizera Mountain Beech Trees: An expansive area of mixed forest predominated by beechwoods, one of the most precious areas of the Jizera Mountains, protected as a National Nature Reserve, and part of the Natura 2000 system.

Malá strana: A nature reserve since 1993.Transitional peat moors with a number of rare and protected plants and animals. Located in Horní Maxov by the springs of the stream known as Rovný potok.

Josefův Důl reservoir: Constructed between 1976 and 1982. This is the largest dam in the Jizera Mountains, consisting of two back-filled dams - the frontal dam, which is 720 metres long and 43 metres high, and the side dam. The reservoir holds around 23 million cubic metres of water.

Protected avenue of trees: 11 poplar trees by the cinema in Josefův Důl.

Jedlový Důl: A nature reserve since 1992.A mosaic of forest growth that is home to original spruce trees, beechwoods, and fir trees, as well as the River Jedlová and a number of waterfalls.

Krásná (Jistebsko): Perhaps the most famous native of the village of Krásná is folk doctor Johann Josef Kittel (1704-1783), known as the Faust of the Jizera Mountains. Kittel had the Church of St. Joseph (kostel sv. Josefa) built at his own expense here. There is a plague column in the church area and a chapel over the well, whilst Kittel's house is only a short way away (currently under reconstruction).

Stairway to Mariánská hora: The 365 stairs that lead from Desná I to the hill known as Mariánská hora were built by local glassmakers who shortened their journey to work in the nearby Albrechtice along this path.

The valley of the River Kamenice: The red-marked trail known as the "Palackého cesta" leads hikers from Tanvald through Velké Hamry and Plavy to the romantic valley of the mountain river called the Kamenice, which makes its wild way through the rocks until it reaches the confluence of the River Jizera in Spálov A trip out here is even more worthwhile accompanied by a visit to the ruined castle of Navarov, which rises over the valley close to the train station of the same name. The return journey along the railway line, which climbs through the valley on the opposite bank of the Kamenice, is sure to enchant children and adults alike. Sturdier hikers might like to continue on from Spálov beside the River Jizera to Semily along the no-less attractive path known as the "Riegrova cesta".

The Frýdlant heritage trails:The trails are not actually marked out, but are described and drawn at web:  www.epruvodce.info, with information about history, natural landmarks and cultural monuments, and unusual points of interest along the way.

Kyselka, Nové Město pod Smrkem: natural mineral spring.

Pohanské kameny (the Pagan Stones), Višňová: A group of granite stones close to the village of Višňová. German scientist Herr von Vichrow pointed out the natural origins of the stone basins here at the end of the 19th century and was rewarded with a commemorative plaque on one of the rocks. According to the oldest finds, a pagan sacrificial ground existed here some 5000 years ago.

Dubák Pond, Meanders of the River Smědá reserve: The largest and oldest pond in the Frýdlant Promontory, between the villages of Filipovka and Černousy. The area is home to marshes that feature the protected plant known as the "wild calla" and nests of herons, snipes, and kingfishers. The embankment is reinforced by ancient red and common oak trees. The pond is part of the nature reserve known as the "Meanders of the River Smědá".

Kamenný Vrch, Srbská: Home to Formica ants and anthills, often with artificial conservation (ČSOP Formica Liberec).

Kodešova skála (the Kodeš Rock), Heřmanice: A basalt rock with column-like cleavage ("stone organ pipes") close to an abandoned quarry.

The "Poustecká obora" reserve: A wooded area alongside the stream known as Bulovský potok that is attractive for visitors wanting to spend a quiet moment out walking.

Bílá skála (White Rock), Srbská: A quartz rock formation of unusually glorious shape.

The source of the Lusatian Nisa River - close to Nová Ves

Kryštofovo údolí: A country recreation resort close to the city. Home to an early-Baroque church, a mountain cemetery by the church with a wooden bell tower, a Baroque parsonage, and a mortuary.

The Novina viaducts: a technical monument dating back to 1898-1900.

Nativity scenes in Kryštofovo údolí: An exhibition that is open between May and December on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the Christmas period. Tel.: 482 720 333

Obří sud (Giant Barrel) restaurant: The Obří sud restaurant is genuinely unique. Nowhere else can you have lunch so comfortably in a genuine wooden barrel after admiring the beautiful views of the basin in which the spa village of Libverda sits or the views of the ridges of the Jizera Mountains and the mountain massif of Smrk that encloses them.

Lázně Libverda 186, tel.: 482 322 714, fax: 482 322 269, mobile: 728 252 695, e-mail: obri.sud@volny.cz , web: http://www.laznelibverda.cz