Lakes and dams Východní Čechy

Vodní nádrž Rozkoš, completed in 1969 on the stream of the same name, ranks as the eighth largest reservoir in the Czech Republic. It spans an area of 800 hectares, situated near the town of Česká Skalice. The average depth of the Rozkoš reservoir is 10 metres. It is sometimes referred to as the "East Bohemian Sea", as it serves as one of the points of interest in Eastern Bohemia, located in the very heart of the Kladské pomezí region.

Its primary function is flood protection, and it also serves to support the flow of the Úpa river, which flows into the Labe. The reservoir is utilised for recreation, water sports, and fishing. Visitors may arrive by car and park at the car park located directly at the reservoir. Naturally, it is also possible to travel in a slightly more adventurous manner by train or bus. For athletes, the Vodní nádrž Rozkoš is accessible on foot or by bicycle.

In the immediate vicinity, visitors will find everything necessary to ensure a successful holiday at Rozkoš. Sandy beaches are located around the reservoir. In addition to accommodation facilities, visitors have access to refreshment stalls, playgrounds, minigolf, and sanitary facilities. The Vodní nádrž Rozkoš is also a popular destination for surfing and yachting.

Should some visitors not be particularly fond of relaxation and lounging by the water, they are invited to explore the surrounding area. The entire area of the reservoir and the nearby Babiččino údolí (Grandmother's Valley) offer a rich historical atmosphere. One of the most famous Czech writers, the author of the renowned book Babička, attended school in Česká Skalice. In the town, it is also possible to visit the Muzeum Boženy Němcové.

It is therefore more than clear that there will be no boredom here. However, it is important to know what you wish to see and do during your stay in order to plan appropriate accommodation at the Vodní nádrž Rozkoš. Visitors have a choice of beautiful cottages, affordable guesthouses, and private accommodation. Following that, one may set out to encounter new experiences that await at one of the most attractive locations in the Královéhradecký kraj region.

Historic Art Nouveau dam on the Doubrava River

Přehrada Pařížov is a unique historic dam located on the Doubrava river near the town of Chotěboř in the Havlíčkův Brod district in the Kraj Vysočina. It was built between 1910 and 1913 and is one of the oldest and most beautiful dams in the Czech Republic; it is a national cultural monument. Its dam wall is constructed of stone and features distinctive Art Nouveau elements, which are rare in Central Europe. It serves for flood protection and as an aesthetic experience.

Access

A well-maintained access road leads to the dam from the village of Pařížov (accessible from road number 345). A free car park with limited capacity is available for motorists, located directly by the dam wall. From there, it is a short and easy walk along an asphalt road to the dam wall. The dam is a popular destination for photographers. The nearest railway station, Chotěboř, is less than five kilometres away.

What is worth exploring

Nearby is the Národní přírodní rezervace Údolí Doubravy, which is known for its deep canyons and rock formations. Less than ten kilometres to the northeast lies Zámek Žďár nad Sázavou with the Poutní kostel sv. Jana Nepomuckého na Zelené hoře (UNESCO). It is also worth visiting the historical town of Chotěboř with the Městské muzeum Chotěboř and the Zřícenina hradu Lipnice nad Sázavou.

Brodský rybník is a peaceful refreshment set between three water mirrors

Brodský Pond (nicknamed “Broďák”) lies next to the settlement of Zábrodí, southeast of Červený Kostelec, and is the middle one of three ponds on the Špinka stream. Covering almost 16 ha, it offers natural swimming, fishing, and relaxation under tall trees – both for families and individual visitors.

Relaxing by the water: Nature, peace, and tranquility at your fingertips

If you are looking for the perfect spot for summer relaxation, a natural swimming area with grassy beaches is exactly what you need. Entry into the water is gradual and shallow, making it a safe paradise for even the smallest children to splash around in. If you are an enthusiastic angler, you will certainly appreciate the opportunity for sport fishing in our private fishing ground, where you can cast your line without the need to deal with any complicated administration. The complex also includes kemp Brodský, where you can find great refreshments at the „Vodnická“ restaurant, while your children can have fun on the playground, explore the „Broďíkův ráj“ trail, or admire the art in the gallery of wooden sculptures.

Who is this place ideal for?

The swimming area is created primarily for families with children, who will appreciate safe swimming and plenty of options for a playful afternoon. It is also a dream destination for anglers and all lovers of peace who want to cast their rod in peace without unnecessary formalities. The entire complex is flat, ensuring comfortable access even for visitors with strollers or those with limited mobility. However, we would like to inform visitors that for the sake of maintaining peace and cleanliness in the complex, dogs are not permitted.

How to get here and what else to explore

The pond is easily accessible from Červený Kostelec or the village of Zábrodí. Along the beach and camp runs a pleasant path where you can spend the afternoon relaxing, playing, and discovering nature. After swimming, you can head for a trip to Babiččino Valley, to the rocks of Adršpach, or to other attractions of the region.

A place where water soothes both air and soul

Brodský Pond is a bowl of summer comfort, a fishing paradise, and a children’s playground – all in one. It simply offers a natural way to slow down, dive into the water, and enjoy moments without hurry.

If visitors decide to visit Skalní město Adršpach, which is part of the Adršpašsko-teplické skály in Eastern Bohemia, a punt ride on the famous Adršpašské jezírko should certainly not be missed. In past times, the small lake was used for floating felled trees. Once, the first tourists set out onto the lake, and thus the era of small punts began. Water is fed into the lake by the small river Metuje. Two waterfalls were created at the lake's outlet - the Velký Adršpašský vodopád and, 50 metres further downstream, the Malý Adršpašský vodopád.

Visiting the rock city is rather a summer affair, but even if visitors head here in winter, they will not regret it. The surface of the lake freezes, and the ice creates magical patterns. The waterfalls transform into icefalls during the winter and offer a breathtaking spectacle. Rides standardly begin in May, or in April in the event of fine weather. It is best to inquire in advance.

In addition to the boat rides, many other interesting stops await visitors within these sandstone rocks, which form the largest rock city in the Czech Republic. For example, Sloní náměstí, Krakonošova lenoška, or Milenci and Starosta se starostovou. They received their names according to what the individual rocks resemble with their shapes. Visitors are also recommended to view the ruins of Adršpach Castle. Not much of the original castle has been preserved, but the views will certainly captivate them. Right by the entrance gate to the rock city, another body of water is encountered, the Adršpach sand pit, which is certainly familiar from certain Czech films or fairy tales.

And where can accommodation be found if all these interesting places are to be seen? Accommodation near Adršpašské jezírko is offered by nearby municipalities such as Adršpach, Teplice nad Metují, Česká Metuje, or Jetřichovice. With their strategic locations, all of them provide an excellent starting point for wanderings through this region. Visitors are wished a pleasant holiday.

Pískovna Adršpach falls under the Národní přírodní rezervace Adršpašsko-teplické skály. This beautiful small lake is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in this locality. Once a sandstone quarry, it now boasts not only crystal-clear water but also white sandy beaches after being flooded. As the lake is located in a protected area and features undercurrents, swimming is strictly prohibited.

On the shores of the lake, you can take a walk along a 1.5 km long sightseeing circuit, marked with blue colour. During the approximately 40-minute walk, you will find several viewpoints. Thanks to its attractiveness, the adršpašská pískovna has also appeared in Czech film fairy tales, for example, Z pekla štěstí 2 and Třetí princ.

From the sandpit, you can continue to explore the rock city along the green marked trail. Take a walk around the rocks that resemble a sugar loaf or a pitcher, discover Eliška, Starosta a starostová, and Milenci, and do not miss Sloní náměstí. When you turn from the green trail onto the yellow one, which is more demandig. You will reach the picturesque Adršpašské jezírko. On the way there, you will also pass stairs that were constructed as early as 1843. You cannot swim in this lake either, but during the summer season, you can enjoy it not only from the shore but also from a boat with witty commentary.

And what if your head starts spinning from all those rocks? You can visit zámek Adršpach. Although one of its exhibitions is dedicated to rock and high-altitude climbing, you will also find exhibitions on flax processing and weaving, as well as a historical exhibition. In the surroundings of Adršpach, you will also find several lookout towers, for example, Čáp and Žaltman. You will also have a good view if you climb one of the local rock castles: Adršpach, Střmen, or Skály.

Given that this locality is so popular with tourists, it is quite easy to find accommodation near Pískovna Adršpach. At every step, you will find family guesthouses and private accommodation. Cottages and cabins are also very popular, and modern-style apartments are appearing more and more frequently. If you are looking for true romance, log cabins are a sure bet. Regardless of how you choose to stay, it is certain that the nature of the Adršpašsko region will amaze you, and you will want to return here. Book your accommodation today and start planning everything you want and need to see here.

The Vodní nádrž Souš reservoir is situated on the Černá Desná river above the town of Desná in the Liberecký kraj region. The road along the Soušská přehrada dam connects the Frýdlantsko and Tanvaldsko regions on the other side of the Jizerské hory mountains; however, it should be noted that the road is not maintained in winter and is closed. In the summer months, however, the area around the reservoir invites visitors for trips.

A settlement of the same name, which even featured a glassworks, stood on the site of today's Souš reservoir as early as the 18th century. However, the settlement had to give way to the construction of two dams—one on the Bílá Desná and the other on the Černá Desná—connected by a tunnel. The dams were built between 1911 and 1915 as flood protection for the Jizerské hory mountains. However, the dam on the Bílá Desná burst just 10 months after its completion in 1916, sweeping away 100 houses and claiming 65 lives. After this disaster, local residents insisted on draining Souš and only refilling it after a thorough inspection of the reservoir's condition to ensure that such a catastrophe would not happen again. The Souš dam was therefore only refilled after reconstruction between 1924 and 1927. In the 1970s, the dam originally served, among other things, for recreation, but since 1973 it has served as a drinking water reservoir for the Tanvaldsko and Jablonecko regions. Fishing and swimming are therefore understandably prohibited, and the area around the Souš reservoir is strictly protected.

The Souš dam covers an area of nearly 86 hectares. Its embankment is earth-fill, and the concrete wall reaches a depth of 8 metres. A 19.1-metre-high tower structure stands in the reservoir, used for water abstraction for water supply purposes. As this is a drinking water reservoir, a water treatment plant stands on its right bank, where water hardness is reduced and its oxidisability and colour are adjusted. Only once treated in this way does the water continue through pipes to the water reservoir in Tanvald and from there to Jablonec nad Nisou.

If you are looking for accommodation in the vicinity of the Vodní nádrž Souš reservoir, you may choose from a wide range of cottages and chalets in Desná. For exploring the nature of the Jizerské hory mountains, you may also wish to use one of the apartments or guesthouses. The Jablonec nad Nisou district is a paradise for skiers, and as such, they are well prepared for tourists here. Thanks to this, you can be sure that accommodation facilities will provide you with sufficient capacity and comfort during the summer season as well.

If you are spending your holiday near the Souš dam, you will certainly appreciate a few tips on where to head. During the winter, several ski resorts operate here, the nearest of which is Ski areál Černá Říčka, just 400 metres from Souš. In the summer, a visit to Ranč pod Štěpánkou and the Tesařov natural monument is recommended. If you wish to learn about the defence of this territory during the Second World War, visit the Muzeum lehkého opevnění Na Pomezí, which includes 50 bunkers built to prevent enemy penetration. And if you are longing for a bit of adrenaline, you can try a rope centre in nearby Harrachov, where you can test your physical fitness. We trust that you will combine your visit to the Vodní nádrž Souš reservoir with other tips for trips in this tourist-popular region and enjoy a pleasant stay.