Where to go on a trip Český Dub

Classical Skiing Resort in Liberec

Ski areál Vesec is not a typical downhill skiing resort, but it is primarily a recreational and sports cross-country skiing area situated on the southeastern outskirts of the city of Liberec, in the city district of Vesec. It was built for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2009. The resort spans an area of approximately 70 hectares at an altitude ranging from 400 m a. s. l. to 460 m a. s. l. and in winter offers groomed cross-country trails for various skill levels.

Although the resort focuses on cross-country skiing, it is also equipped for winter activities. For cross-country skiers, three independent circuits with varying difficulty and lengths are available, ranging from 1,500 m with minimal elevation gain to combined circuits with a length of 7.5 km. The resort features a quality snowmaking system and lighting, which allows for training even in the late hours. In summer, asphalt paths serve for inline skating, cycling, and walking.

How to Get There

Areál Vesec is located on the outskirts of the city of Liberec. Thanks to its location near the Liberec – Praha highway, it is easily accessible by car, while visitors can use a spacious and free parking lot near the cemetery, from which it is about a 10-minute walk to the resort. Alternatively, public transport in Liberec can be used – buses number 13, 24, 26, 39, or 60, getting off at the U Střediska stop.

What Visitors Can Discover in the Surroundings

The surroundings of Vesec and the city of Liberec offer many options for cultural and natural activities. The dominant feature of the entire region is Ještěd, to the summit of which a cable car also leads and where an extensive ski resort is located. Directly in Liberec, visitors can visit the Zoologická zahrada Liberec and Botanická zahrada v Liberci, or the iQLANDIA science and entertainment center and the Centrum Babylon entertainment center. For views, it is worth heading to the Rozhledna Liberecká výšina or the Vyhlídková věž Lidových sadů. For hiking enthusiasts, the Naučná stezka Vesecké údolí is interesting.

In 1997, an area of less than 3,000 hectares was demarcated from part of Český ráj, and a new protected area, the Maloskalsko Nature Park, was established. It is located in the south-western part of the Jablonec nad Nisou District, in the Liberec Region. As the name itself suggests, the centre of the nature park is the municipality of Malá Skála. The Jizera River also flows through the area, creating picturesque meanders and, together with rock formations and other interesting natural features, places Maloskalsko high on the list of tourists' priorities. It is rightfully one of the most visited locations in the Liberec region.

If visitors are not particularly enthusiastic hikers or connoisseurs of Czech geography, focusing attention on two larger towns, Železný Brod and Rychnov u Jablonce nad Nisou, will suffice in this case. Indeed, this territory, sometimes referred to as the Maloskalské Dolomity, is situated precisely between them. An unmissable landmark of the Maloskalsko Nature Park is certainly the ruins of the Vranov rock castle. This is a late medieval castle that acquired romantic elements through its later reconstruction. In the past, this castle was the largest of its kind in Bohemia.

Pantheon, as the Vranov Castle is also sometimes called, is easily accessible from Malá Skála. At the end of the municipality, visitors take the red tourist trail and follow the direction towards Harrachov. A pleasant walk or cycling trip awaits visitors, during which an interesting forest staircase and a historic mill can be seen.

As befits a proper protected area, several rare species of animals and plants can be found here. From the original forest ecosystem, beech forests, pine forests, and pine-oak woods are represented here. Outside the forested areas, there are wet meadows, sandstone quarries, and, near Záborčí, a site where the spring snowflake grows. The sandstone rock formations serve as an excellent refuge for many bird species living in symbiosis with butterflies, salamanders, toads, lizards, and snakes. The primary mission of the Maloskalsko Nature Park is precisely the protection of the landscape and its fauna and flora.

The entire region of Maloskalsko and its surrounding areas is very rich in interesting natural attractions. Near the municipality of Koběrovy, visitors will find the Kde domov můj viewpoint or the Chléviště rock formations, which acquired this unusual name from the place where herds of cattle were hidden during the war. In addition to Vranov, there are plenty of other ruins, such as the ruins of Zbirohy Castle, the ruins of Frýdštejn Castle, or the ruins of Rotštějn Castle. And which one will visitors visit?

Ideally, of course, all of them would be explored. And not only the ruins, but all the rock formations, the meanders of the Jizera, and other natural attractions of the Liberec Region. By securing accommodation in the Maloskalsko Nature Park, visitors gain an excellent starting point and can thus get to know another piece of Northern Bohemia a little better. Do family cottages suit preferences better, or is privacy in an apartment preferred? If catering or other services are needed during the stay, selecting from the offerings of hotels and guesthouses is recommended. Accommodation in private lodging offers a less financially demanding yet homely environment.

Modern water complex designed for summer recreation and sports in the Český ráj region

The complex is located in the town of Turnov in the Semily district, within the Liberecký kraj. This modern swimming pool is part of the broader Maškova zahrada sports and relaxation complex, which was opened in 2016. The character of the site is defined by contemporary architecture and the use of stainless steel technology for all pools. For every visitor, this place serves as an important spot for refreshment during the summer season at the gateway to Český ráj. The location combines opportunities for fitness swimming with an extensive zone for family entertainment and relaxation on grassy areas.

What can you find here?

The basis of the complex is a multi-purpose stainless steel pool, which is divided into a swimming section with four lanes and a relaxation section with water features. Visitors may use a toboggan and several slides, including a steep kamikaze-style slide. The pool includes massage jets, water cannons, and bubble beds for regeneration. For the youngest visitors, a children's paddling pool with a water hedgehog and a small slide is available. The sports offer is complemented by a beach volleyball court, table tennis tables, and a skatepark or in-line track located in the immediate vicinity. The facilities include modern changing rooms, showers, a refreshment kiosk, and an outdoor terrace.

For whom is the place suitable?

Thanks to the diversity of water attractions and shallow zones, the complex is ideal for families with children. The place is also sought after by fitness swimmers who use the lanes in the multi-purpose pool for regular training. Given the barrier-free access and clear layout, the swimming pool is suitable for seniors and persons with reduced mobility. For every visitor who spends their holiday with active movement, the complex offers a connection to other sports facilities in the area. The location is a popular destination for tourists and cyclists travelling through the Český ráj region.

What can you visit in the surroundings?

In the immediate vicinity, one can find the historical centre of the town of Turnov with the Muzeum Českého ráje. Approximately 3 kilometres away lies the state-owned zámek Hrubý Rohozec and the national cultural monument Dlaskův statek in Dolánky. Within a 5-kilometre range, you may visit hrad Valdštejn, which is the oldest castle in this area. A significant destination is also the Hruboskalsko rock town with the zámek Hrubá Skála. For lovers of views, the rozhledna Hlavatice is accessible, situated on the edge of the rock massif.

Městský plavecký bazén Jablonec nad Nisou

The Městský plavecký bazén Jablonec nad Nisou is located in Jablonec nad Nisou in the Liberecký kraj region, on Svatopluka Čecha street and close to the Mšeno reservoir. It is an indoor complex designed for regular swimming and recreational water stays throughout the entire year. The operation includes a swimming section, a recreational zone, and supplementary services. The complex is managed by the company SPORT Jablonec nad Nisou. The place serves both the public and organised activities.

What will you find here?

The main part of the complex is a swimming pool with a length of 25 metres and eight lanes. The facility also features a recreational pool with water attractions, for which the operator lists two whirlpools, a massage bench, a water curtain, and a wild river. Two water slides are also part of the complex. A children's pool with a paddling pool, a water cannon, a water mushroom, and a children's slide is intended for smaller children. A sauna, steam rooms, massages, a solarium, and refreshments are also available in the building.

Who is the place suitable for?

The complex is suitable for regular swimmers looking for facilities for fitness or sports swimming. Thanks to the recreational section and the children's pool, it is also suitable for families with children. Visitors interested in relaxation and regeneration can utilise the facilities with a sauna and whirlpools. On weekdays, part of the operation is also utilised for swimming lessons and training.

What can you visit in the surrounding area?

Close to the complex is the Mšeno reservoir, also known as Jablonecká přehrada, which serves as the recreational background of the town. In Jablonec nad Nisou, visitors can also visit the Muzeum skla a bižuterie. Above the wider surroundings of the town is the Černá studnice lookout tower. In nearby Liberec, destinations such as Zoo Liberec and iQLANDIA are accessible. Another well-known place in the region is Ještěd.

Former hydrotherapy spa and gateway to the heart of the České ráj

Lázně Sedmihorky is a historically significant locality and a contemporary recreational centre, situated in the immediate vicinity of the Hruboskalsko rock town, not far from Turnov. In the 19th century, the premises were established by the physician Antonín Šlechta as the first hydrotherapy institute in Bohemia and hosted famous figures such as Jan Neruda. Although it no longer serves as a classic medical facility today, it has retained its tranquil atmosphere and serves as a sought-after base for hiking and family recreation in the heart of nature.

What do Lázně Sedmihorky offer?

Visitors will find here, above all, an ideal starting point for hiking and cycling trips into the rocks of the Český ráj. Located directly within the grounds is a popular autokemp with accommodation in cabins, and for families with children, a popular Dětská lesní naučná stezka (Children's Forest Educational Trail) is prepared with fun tasks. History lovers can admire the preserved architecture of the original spa houses, a bust of the spa's founder, or freely accessible forest springs in the near vicinity, such as the pramen Antonín.

For whom are Lázně Sedmihorky intended?

The site is currently intended primarily for active tourists, rock climbers, and families with children who are looking for accommodation in nature with good facilities. It is also a destination for those who wish to walk in the footsteps of history and soak up the atmosphere of the "air spa" that once shaped Czech national culture.

How to get here and what can you discover in the surroundings?

The location is easily accessible by train; the Karlovice-Sedmihorky stop lies just a short distance from the area. Motorists may use the paid central car park at the entrance to the spa zone (approach from the I/35 road towards Turnov – Jičín). From this point, tourist signs lead directly to the rock town, to the Hrubá Skála chateau, to Valdštejn castle, or to the Kapelník and U Lvíčka viewpoints.

Visit Lázně Sedmihorky and enjoy active relaxation in places where the healing power of water combines with the majesty of sandstone rocks.