Article Ascent to Zebin

View of Zebin is perhaps nicer from afar than from its peak, but however, the ascent to it is definitely worth it. The main starting point to the way to the top is at the church with a cemetery at its southern foot. This place is accessible either by walking from Jicin, which is our recommended option, or you can park your car here if you have this ascent just as diversification of the trip around the Czech Paradise.

There are altogether five ascent routes to the top: the new „official one“ leads straight up from the church and is sometimes secured by a chain. Its position in the precious natural passages is a bit incomprehensible. The other two routes lead along the western and eastern side of the quarry. The fourth is the easiest and leads along the east side of the hill overlooking Valdice and its renowned prison. The last one from the north side is virtually unused.

The start of the ascent is from All Saints' Church with a cemetery and a beautiful wooden bell at about 325 meters asl. This means that it is only 70 altitude meters to the top. It is not much, but the ascent paths are quite steep.

Just a few meters away from the roads at the wooden belfry you must decide which of the possible ways to go. Instead of the official path leading straight up it is better to turn left and explore the quarry and ascent one of the routes along it.

The wooden belfry itself has long been slightly damaged by vandals. Now it is again restored, but unfortunately you cannot get inside due to this fact.

If you go along more interesting path curving to the west, you will reach a grassy place before the quarry in Zebin in 150 meters. People burn here quite often from spring to autumn in the evening fire and enjoy views towards Jicin.

There is no problem to climb into the quarry and crawl under the vertical basalt walls. But overhanging ledges and piles of fallen rocks suggest that it is a little risky.

For several years now, Zebín has been surrounded by an electric fence and its slopes are grazed by sheep, so it is not a big coincidence to come across them on the way out.

After a few minutes ascent you are on top at the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene. Recently, there are educative signs about the surrounding hills, but they don’t make it here nicer.

The view to the south is of Jicin and the basin that surrounds it. But much of the town is covered by the low peak of Cerovka. On the horizon you can see flat Velis ridge offering far better outlook than Zebin – Velis.

In the west direction there is a nice view of the symbol of the Czech Paradise – Trosky. In the summer the sun sets right behind it and Zebin is an ideal outlook point (see the introductory photo of the photoreport). Below you can see a small valley of river Cidlina and another outlook hill Brada.

In summer, Zebín is an ideal place to watch the sunset – which sets directly above the Ruins

North horizon is lined by the east end of Jestedsko-Kozakovsky ridge with a dominant hill Tabor, where is also an interesting viewpoint. This ridge separates the foothills of Giant Mountains (“Podkrkonosi”) from the Czech Paradise. Also the alternative tourist route from Jicin to Turnov leads across Tabor.

Zeleznice is picturesquely nestled in a small valley beneath unimpressive hill Zelezny (370 m asl). The rounded hill on the horizon is called Smita (563 m asl) and in its surroundings are popular cross-country ski trails.

Although Zebín is not an ideal observatory in the Giant Mountains, with good visibility you will see at least the top of Sněžka, which lies about 40 km as the crow flies.

Just below the top is a view of Valdice and the famous prison

Directly below the hill is the famous building of the Wallenstein Loggia