Přírodní park Maloskalsko
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.
