Day 3: “Malá Skála and perhaps a bit of rafting”

A - take bus number 1 from Jablonec to Pulečný and walk along the hiking trail for 3 km until you reach the "Na Kopanině" viewing point and restaurant, from where you will have the Malá Skála area in the palm of your hand. After taking in the views continue on via Frýdštejn (visit the castle ruins, www.frydstejn.cz, tel.: 483 393 060) and the Vranov Ridge to Malá Skála (7 km). Once here, the rock castle of Vranov and the Pantheon offer wonderful views of the River Jizera valley and the surroundings of Malá Skála. Recharge your batteries in one of the many local restaurants or pizzerias. Then you might like to try a trip down the River Jizera on an inflatable raft as far as Dolánky (this must be arranged in advance, contact information at the end of the leaflet). From Dolánky you can return to Jablonec by train or bus (although we would recommend you go by car if you want to go down the River Jizera). You can also return to Jablonec from Malá Skála by bus or train.

B - from Jablonec head through Kopanina and Frýdštejn to Malá Skála, where you can stroll by the River Jizera and take a seat in one of the local restaurants. Then make for Železný Brod, where you can thread a necklace with your own hands (the Kortan company, address: Železná 103, tel.: +420 483 390 086, www.kortanglass.com) and pay a visit to the glass museum (tel.: +420 483 389 081, part of the exhibit is dedicated to the work of glass artists J. Brychtová and S. Libenský) or the museum of local history at Běliště. Also well worth a visit is Sychrov Chateau (open all year round, www.zamek-sychrov.cz, tel.: +420 482 416 011) and its gardens, which are ideal for taking seat or having a stroll. The Bozkov Dolomite Caves are also very popular ( www.caves.cz, tel.: +420 481 682 167, National Natural Landmark).