Guest house Malý Ráj
    the place to unwind after a day outdoors

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Nature

Ceský Ráj (Bohemian Paradise)

The Bohemian Paradise is situated one hundred kilometres to the northeast from Prague. This picturesque area borders on foot-hills of the Giant Mountains in the east and is marked off by the belt of The Jizerské Mountains and The Giant Mountains in the north.

The extraordinary diversity of the landscape with characteristic sandstone rock towns, flora and fauna was the main reason for proclaiming The Bohemian Paradise the first protected natural area in the then republic (in 1955). When considering the diversity of the landscape and the occurrence of preserved and endangered biological species, deep forests, as well as systems of ponds on water streams and surrounding small areas of wet ground with ecological systems are of big importance.

There are numerous finding places of agates, amethyst, jaspers, chalcedonies, and other kinds of precious stones in the volcanic rocks. The treatment of these precious stones has been connected with the history of the city of Turnov for several centuries. Turnov has been the natural economical and cultural centre of this area and nowadays it is called the heart of The Bohemian Paradise.

Jizerské Hory (Iron Mountains)

The Jizera Mountains are graced with the somewhat macabre charm of peat bogs and peaty marshes, as well as the scrub pine woods that coat its level ridges. This region also has massive beech forests that cover the precipitous slopes of the western and northern faces of the mountains. Bizarre asymmetrical granite bars, a rock labyrinth, rocking stones and a solitary rock tower loom above these slopes. Manmade towers, built as lookout towers in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, are also symbols of the Jizera Mountains and offer spectacular views. It is a wonderful destination for hikers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers.

The Jizera Mountains were named after the Jizera River, which originates on the Czech side under Smrk; in the northern part it forms a border with Poland and flows into the Labe by the spa town of Toušeň. The Desná, Smědá and Černá Nisa Rivers also run through the region of the Jizera Mountains. The Jizera is popular among water sport enthusiasts while the Smědá is navigable when its levels are high in the spring or after it rains.

Granite is characteristic of the Jizera Mountains. All rock formations, slabs, kettles, labyrinths and gates are formed of granite. Basalt also is part of the make-up of the Jizera Mountains.

Krkonose (Giant Mountains)

Krkonoše, or the Giant Mountains are the highest and the best-known mountain range in the Czech Republic. Here, you can enjoy skiing tracks running across the ranges and descending to alpine resorts, you can see the highest peak, Sněžka (1602 m), take pleasure in the flowery alpine meadows and dark green dwarf-pine thickets, blue ponds in the middle of mysterious peat bogs, and discover plates with the symbol of the first Czech national park.

The Giant Mountains are crisscrossed by marked tourist trails suitable for all age groups. Chair lifts to several peaks provide less proficient tourists with the opportunity to enjoy the breath-taking vista of the mountains.