Despite the development, the Jizera valley and alluvial plain maintained their natural charm which cannot be seen from a car or train. The cycling routes in corridor Greenway Jizera (hereinafter referred to as GWJ) will take you pass the Jizera Mountains in the river vicinity, West Krkonoše, Český ráj, and Elbe River basin to Prague. If you turn from Jizera in Kořenov in Harrachov direction towards Poland and its Jelenohorské basin with Bóbr river basin, you can see another region and landscape in the neighbouring country.

The cycling routes in the regions pass through quiet roads and reinforced routes. Do not be put down by more demanding terrains and setoff on the journey. You will discover the charm of six colourful landscapes, their natural sights, castles and mansions, technical attractions, and rural and church architecture.

If the historical route reconnects the regions and countries, it will help mutual recognition and meeting.

Jizerské Mountains

Euro-regional cycling route ER-9 Greenway Jizera (hereinafter referred to as GWJ) starts in Jizera Mountains, and it includes many tourist destinations well accessible by the network of foot and cycling routes. Nature resort Jizera Peatbog is located on the Polish side, Jizerská louka, Smrk (1124 m above sea level) with viewing tower and Jizera River source are placed on the Czech side. Jizera Mountains are a tourist paradise in the summer, and also in the winter when the dozens of kilometres of cycling routes transform into the cross country skiing paths.

GWJ route passes through Jizerka settlement and then descends alongside Jizera to Martinské valley. The land route used to pass through these locations connecting Silesia and Bohemia. Under Harrachov settlement Mýtiny it is possible to turn away from GWJ to the north and see one region in the neighbouring country. The highest point Przelęcz Sklarska (886 m above sea level) – is located near Jakuszyce, close to the state border, which is the border point between Jizera Mountains and Krkonoše, and also the divide point of Jizera River with waters flowing to North sea, and Odra with waters flowing to Baltic sea. Long descending routes lead in both directions from this location, where you can take the train for the journey back.

Our tips:

• Use train in route Tanvald – Harrachov – Jakuszyce and you save 200–400 vertical meters.
• Use JÁRA CIMRMAN‘S CYCLING ROUTE from Polish Orle, also called Around Liptákov on the bike.

Additional information: http://www.jizerky.cz/, http://www.szklarskaporeba.pl/

Jelenohorská basin

You can use a network of cycling route in Polish Jizera Mountains from Polana Jakuszycká, with passing Krkonoše Euro-regional cycling route (ER-2 „Liczyrzepa“), with lower vertical but beautiful panorama views. The recommended route continues via Dolina Kamiennej to Szklarska Poręba, which is a cycling metropolis – there are 19 cycling routes in its vicinity. Then ER-2 traverses under the polish part of Krkonoše National Park to the town of Jelenia Góra found nine hundred years ago and which is called the Pearl of Krkonoše due to its valuable memorials, Thermal springs, and beautiful surroundings. Then you can connect to the Euro-regional cycling route „Dolina Bobru“ (ER-6) leading from Jelenohorská basin through one of close national parks – Park Krajobrazowy Doliny Bobru.

Our tips:

• Take a train on route Jelenia Góra – Szklarska Poręba – Jakuszyce and gain 500 vertical meters, which enables long descends.

Additional information: http://www.jeleniagora.pl/, http://www.szklarskaporeba.pl/

Krkonoše

Route GWJ turns towards Jizera Mountains to Krkonoše in settlement Mýto, which with its name confirms the existence of an old connecting commercial route. Krkonoše are the highest Czech mountains, they have high-elevation character and very variable landscape with sharp glacier cirques and wide spreading mountain meadows, rock ridges, and picturesque valleys with timbered houses.

The recommended route behind the stone bridge over Jizera in Mýto copies the old route called Planýrka ascending through the western part of Krkonoše into a characteristic mountain village Paseky nad Jizerou. It was always strictly Czech, similarly to another village on our route - Vysoká nad Jizerou. Here you can start enjoying the outstanding views of Krkonoše. Then the route pass Roprachtice (viewing tower, views) returns back to Jizera in Loukov (municipality Háje nad Jizerou), with an interesting Technical Museum. This is the beginning of Český ráj.

Our tips:

• From June to September, it is possible to use Krkonoše cycling-bus for transport to 6 cycling routes.
• You can use the lift from Harrachov to Čertova hora (free bike transport) for transport to 1021 m above sea level for long descends in Krkonoše.

Additional information: http://www.krkonose.eu/, http://www.kpnmab.pl/

Český ráj - north

After the confluence of Jizera with Jizerka, which flows from west Krkonoše, the river flows to a hilly area with open views and deep valleys, natural and technical attractions, and rural architecture. GWJ copies the river to the area under Semily, where the river passes through a deep canyon with Rieger route (attractive route only for people hiking). Bozkov dolomite caves are placed above the right river bank, and Kozákov – guarding hill of Český ráj - stands above the left river bank. From Podspálov, where the river becomes navigable for watermen, GWJ again copies Jizera through Železný Brod – the town of glass and rural architecture. The river winds through Lužický fault area, and near Malé Skála it passes through the area of Český Ráj sandstone rock locations. The rock wall Pantheonu (Vranov) rises directly from the river, Suché skály can be seen on the left bank opposite to Drábovna in Malá Skála area, further located places include Sokol area, rock maze Chléviště – Kalich. Jizera reverses its flow near Rakousy for the last time by means of two large bends, and approaches Turnov with its open alluvial plain under Betlémské and Klokočské rocks.

Our tips:

• Rieger route in Jizera canyon (hiking!, bikes can be stored in Podspálov).
• Jizera navigation in section Malá Skála (boat hire) – Dolánky u Turnova.

Additional information: http://www.cesky-raj.info/

Český ráj - south

Near Turnov – heart of Český ráj with many landmarks related to stone cutting and jewellery making – starts Jizera to form mild meanders. The castle Hrubý Rohozec is located in the right bank; Sychrov is placed a little further. The left river bank includes the most famous rock towns – Hruboskalsko, Příhrazské skály, Drábské světničky and also Mužský – basalt top with round viewing point. Jizera leaves the area of sandstone block near Mnichovo Hradiště and meanders towards Mladá Boleslav area. The landscape is mildly undulating and flat in the southern part. Mladá Boleslav area has many tourist attractions which should not be missed. The town over thousand years old, and in the last hundred years closely related to automobile industry, includes architectural treasures and an interesting ŠkodaAuto Museum. Many castles, mansions, ruins, and church buildings (Mnichovo Hradiště, Zvířetice, Michalovická putna, Loreta in Kosmonosy) are placed alongside the river flow with GWJ. These landmarks are mostly placed on the cycling route alongside Jizera. Polabí gradually continues in the south.

Our tips:

• Use the summer tourist buses (with bike transport) for visiting Český Ráj sock towns.
• Two of three regional breweries are placed by GWJ – you can see the beer production and visit their brewery restaurant.

Additional information: http://www.cesky-raj.info/

Polabí

As the flow moves away from Mladá Boleslav, the terrain opens into landscape suitable for cyclists. Mildly undulating landscape is suitable for family trips. The first landmark is the castle in Benátky nad Jizerou (the premises with sculpture decoration from M. B. Braun, museum exposition and the collection of subjects from Australian natives, toy museum). The left river bank of Jizera includes Jabkenická park (Bedřich Smetana memorial) with many ponds, Loučeň (castle with expositions and many additional activities) and also quiet forests in former military area Milovice. The right river bank in Jizera lower course includes the forests spreading towards an old double-town Brandýs nad Labem – Stará Boleslav (castle of „three emperors“, Church of St. Kosma and Damien – murder of St. Václav in 929). Swimming is possible in Proboštská lakes, sand quarry near Lhota and Mlékojedy in Neratovice direction. Our route crosses with Labe cycling route in the confluence of Jizera and Labe, where Káraný is placed with drinking water treatment for Prague. Interesting Spa Toušeň is located in the other Labe bank, where you can cross the bridge and continue in Prague direction. Then our route passes through Zápy, Radonice and pass Vinořský park arrives to north-east part of Prague with its many attractions.

Our tips:

• Dobrovice museums, castle Loučeň
• Try Labe cycling route (no. 24) from Kárané towards Mělník or Poděbrady

Additional information: http://www.polabi.com/