Okres Semily: Castles, valleys and trails in Český ráj

Okres Semily connects the landscape of Český ráj with the foothills of the Krkonoše Mountains. The Semilsko region lies in the foothills of the Krkonoše and forms the northeastern part of Český ráj. This creates very different focal points for planning your trip: castle ruins and museums, deep river valleys, marked hiking trails, viewpoints and, in winter, a ski area in Semily.

Landscape between viewpoints and river valleys

Kozákov is the highest mountain in Český ráj. From its lookout point, you can see far across the surrounding area. The Jizera and its tributaries Mumlava, Jizerka, Oleška and Kamenice have carved deep valleys in Okres Semily, crossed by numerous hiking trails. The Kamenický Trail follows the upper edge of the Jizera Valley and leads to several rock viewpoints, including Myší skála. The Riegrova Trail runs through the Galerie natural monument and the Údolí Jizery and Bítouchova nature reserve.

For a wider range of hiking options, KČT Semily maintains approximately 100 km of hiking trails in its Semilsko service area. Another specific option is an approximately 9 km loop in Semily, which runs mainly on asphalt and paved paths and is recommended for families with strollers.

Trosky Castle Ruins and trails through Český ráj

A prominent cultural destination is the Trosky castle ruins. The complex dates from the late 14th century and stands on two volcanic basalt rocks. Its towers are called Baba and Panna. Trosky is connected by marked trails from the directions of Sobotka, Hrubá Skála, Valdštejn, Borecké skály and Podtrosecké rybníky. You can also travel by bus to Hrubá Skála, Borek; from there, the blue trail leads 3.5 km to the castle. Direct connections are available from Turnov, Jičín, Hradec Králové and Liberec.

Museums, crafts and regional history

In Semily, the Muzeum a Pojizerská galerie presents art exhibitions, themed exhibitions, fairs and permanent exhibitions dedicated to personalities from the town and the history of the region. Gallery XY focuses on regional art and crafts and offers craft workshops as well as meetings with craftspeople. The Muzeum techniky in Háje nad Jizerou presents historic automobiles, motorcycles, stationary engines, cameras and radios.

The geological and craft-related side of the area can also be explored. The Muzeum drahých kamenů – Votrubcův lom features a gemstone exhibition and allows visitors to visit the quarry. At the Muzeum Českého ráje in Turnov, you will find geological and mineralogical exhibitions, demonstrations of gemstone processing, historic jewelry and a permanent exhibition on mountaineering. The Muzeum pilníků is located at an authentic site where files were once manufactured. At the Harrachov Glassworks, you can visit the glassworks and take part in hands-on glass activities in the workshop of the Glass Museum.

Choose accommodation according to your preferred type of trip

Anyone wishing to combine culture and nature can begin their accommodation search with the museums in Semily or Turnov and the trails in the Jizera Valley. For a trip involving a castle ruin and a hike, the marked trails around Trosky provide a useful guide. In winter, the Nad nádražím ski area in Semily adds to the range of activities: it has a 400-meter-long slope, a platter lift, ski and snowboard lessons, and night skiing. Regional bus route 5 connects Harrachov, Rokytnice nad Jizerou, trailheads for routes in the western Krkonoše area and Jilemnice. When searching for a hotel or other accommodation, you can therefore first decide whether your trip should focus more on culture, hiking, viewpoints or winter sports.

More places for planning your trip

For further location selection, you can explore the following destinations individually: Harrachov, Benecko, Bradlecka Lhota, Burany, Horni Branna, Jablonec Nad Jizerou, Jilemnice, Lomnice Nad Popelkou, Nová Ves Nad Popelkou, Paseky Nad Jizerou, Poniklá, Rochlitz An Der Iser, Rovensko Pod Troskami, Semily, Hochstadt An Der Iser, Valterice, Tatobity, Turnov, Vichova Nad Jizerou, Vítkovice V Krkonoších, Vysoke Nad Jizerou, Bozkov, Dolni Stepanice, Háje Nad Jizerou, Horní Dusnice, Hruba Skala, Jesenný, Jestrabi V Krkonosich, Krckovice-Hrubá Skála, Martinice V Krkonosich, Morcinov, Mricna, Mrklov, Prikry, Rychlov, Troskovice, Loukov Nad Jizerou, Stepanovice, Zalesni Lhota, Bukovina U Turnova, Kostalov, Mirova Pod Kozakovem, Roprachtice, Slana, Roztoky U Semil, Kruh, Studenec, Ohrazenice, Rakousy, Karlovice, Ktová, Syřenov, Veselá, Benešov U Semil, Bělá U Staré Paky, Čistá U Horek, Libštát, Žernov U Semil, Přepeře, Roztoky U Jilemnice, Vyskeř, Stružinec, Bukovina U Čisté, Bystrá Nad Jizerou, Záhoří U Semil, Holenice, Horka U Staré Paky, Chuchelna, Kacanovy, Klokočí U Turnova, Radostná Pod Kozákovem, Levínská Olešnice, Loučky, Modřišice, Olešnice, Peřimov, Svojek, Bítouchov, Končiny, Štěpanická Lhota, Podmoklice, Václaví, Košov, Pelešany, Chutnovka, Prackov, Sekerkovy Loučky.

For the higher-level travel overview: Liberec.