A connection of the Jizera and Lusatian
Pašerácká naučná stezka („Smuggler's educative trail“) leads through the picturesque countryside along largely deforested ridge on the north end of the Czech Republic connecting much better known Jizera and Lusatian Mountains. The most beautiful view during this trip are from the base of the hill Výhledy (“The Views“) (569 m asl) or Lysý vrch (“Bald hill”) (643 m asl) surrounded with wind turbines. Start of the hike is in Albrechtice u Frýdlantu and the end is after 15 km in Chotyně or alternatively in Hrádek nad Nisou at 18 km.
View from Chotyn to Grabštejn
The easiest start of this tour is in the small village of Chotyně located in the Lužická Nisa valley. Chotyně is accessible by frequent train connections from the regional city of Liberec. From here, the road climbs through the valley of Václavický brook around the beautiful castle Grabštejn, which is worth a separate visit.
Under Kamenný vrch (“The Stone Hill”)
The path leads along the road, which is unfortunately quite busy. After 5 km from Chotyně just outside the village of Václavice the tourists trail joins the smuggling pathway that is already without motor traffic. This route is very suitable for cyclists!
Ještěd´s ridge
The path leads through the fields just below the ridge with beautiful views not only of the densely forested western part of the Ještěd ´s ridge.
View of the Lusatian Mountains
The most beautiful passages of this trip are just below the top of the hill Výhledy (“The Views”) (569 m asl), from where there are really beautiful views – for example to Hvozd in the Lusatian Mountains.
Below the hill Výhledy (“The Views”)
It is ideal to turn and go up the hill at the crossroads „under Výhledy“. From the place before you go into the woods, there is an ideal view of the peaks of the Lusatian Mountains, especially early in the morning. The very top of the hill is overgrown with a limited view of Liberec. On top once stood restaurant, but it was demolished after the Second World War. The only remnant is nicely aligned hill with a fireplace – an ideal place for sleeping under stars in the summer.
Ještěd´s ridge
Views across the fields to Ještěd´s ridge are very picturesque.
Church in Vítkovice
The path continues on above the village of Horní Vítkov with views of Ještěd and slightly scruffy little church of the Virgin Mary.
Hill Výhledy (“The Views”)
The path rises further to the pass between the hills Výhledy (“The Views”) and Lysý vrch (“The bald hill”).
The top of Lysý vrch (“The Bald Hill”)
After a while the path again joins the road and rises further up to just below the top of Lysý vrch (“The Bald Hill”) (643 m asl). The hill is easily identifiable thanks to its wind turbines on all sides.
View of Ještěd
There is a nice view of Ještěd from here – king of hills all around.
Ruin of the windmill
The top of Lysý vrch (“The Bald Hill”) itself is flat and the view from it is not so glorious as it seemed. But interesting are the ruins of an old windmill.
Descent to Albrechtice
The path from Lysý vrch (“The Bald Hill”) starts to fall through the tree alley, where are views of a leafy wall of Jizera Mountains and to pass in Albrechtice, where the trip ends. The Smuggler´s trail descends to Heřmanice and further around Frýdlant up to the border crossing Andělka. Trip can be prolonged by continuation along the ridge to the east over Špičák to pass in Oldřichov.
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