The Bohemian Paradise is situated nearly one hundred kilometers to the northeast from Prague. Geographically it is demarcated by a borderline connecting Mnichovo Hradiste, Sychrov, the hill Kopanina, Zelezny Brod, Semily, Lomnice nad Popelkou, Jicin, Sobotka and Mnichovo Hradiste. 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. In this romantic area, that is situated on the middle part of the Jizera river, variety of nature beauties is bound with rich historical buildings: castles, chateaux and folk architecture. Exactly it was the reason why the guests of the Sedmihorky spa started to call it the Bohemian Paradise already in the 19th century.

The extraordinary diversity of the landscape with characteristic sandstone rock towns, fauna and flora was the main reason for proclaming the region the first protected area in the then republic (1955). When considering the diversity of the landscape and the occurence of preserved and engangered 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. The unique diversity of the relief is also made by characteristic volcanic effusions which form the dominants of the area (Trosky, Kozakov, Muzsky, Vysker etc.).

Bartosova Pec - Ondrikovicke propadani

This geological feature is one of the karst systems in limestone minerals of the Czech Cretaceous. The powerful spring for Vazovecky potok (a brook) bubbles forth from open caves about 20m long. Nearby is a former glassworks, later a mill and glass grinding workshop. Today the building serves for recreational purposes.

Jizera

The valley of the Jizera at Semily and Bitouchov (nature preserve)
Gallery of Jizera (natural monument)
The Jizera River has its source in the Jizerske hory and when it encounters Cesky raj, it has already passed no less than 50 km through deeply cut valleys. Initially, it is in full sunlight up to the meadow beyond Turnov and its wanderings come to an end by joining the Labe near Celakovice. Between the towns of Semily and Turnov it forms a picturesque valley. The canyon section with mixed forest growth and geologically valuable rock outcroppings between Bitouchov and Podspalov was declared a nature preserve for its significant landscape-forming elements. It is accessible along Riegrova stezka (Riegr Trail), which in places leads along an iron suspension corridor, footbridges affixed to the cliffs above the surface of the river. The narrow defile through which the Jizera flows was once even narrower, but was plugged by flooding and therefore has to be artificially widened. Following along the left bank is a railway line for which it was necessary to bore a series of tunnels at a total length of 743 metres. For the hydroelectric power station in Spalov, water is collected from the river and transported in a 1300 metre long underground channel.

Loucsky water system

Near Sekerkovy Loucky in the past there were nine ponds and even today the three called Cihlak, Krizak and Nohavice form the northernmost pond system in Cesky raj. Four mills have been preserved on their shores.

Podtrosecka udoli (Valleys under Trosky)

An unusually attractive tourist and recreation area in Cesky raj. Here in the 16th century, people built a system of ponds from the valley floodplain and the marshes to utilise the territory economically and today, it forms a space of extraordinary scenic and natural value. The unique canyon valley is bordered by sandstone cliffs and these also often form the shores of the ponds. We count eight of them: Vidlak with a restaurant, parking lot and campsite; Krcak; Rokytnicky and Hrudka; the shallow Dolsky, Podsemin and two of the most sought after "swimming holes" - Nebak and Vezicky pond. The Vezicky pond is located in an exquisite valley and thanks to this appealing location it has been selected several times as the backdrop for film shoots (e.g. "Jak dostat tatinka do polepsovny" [How to Get Dad into a Approved School]). Nature Preserve Podtrosecka udoli (The Podtrosecka Valley) protects the most extensive complex of marsh biotopes in CHKO Cesky raj.

Prokopske udoli - Valley of Jizera and the Gallery

A natural place of interest (125 hectars, proclaimed in 1951). A canyon-like valley with mixed woods and a geologically precious formation. For hikers it is a accessible thanks to the Riegrova path leading along the right bank of the river Jizera from Semily to Zelezny Brod. The path is partially cut in the rock and leads over a suspended iron gallery (80 meters long). The railway road on the left bank of the river Jizera leading through a set of tunnels that are 743 meters long altogether as well as the 1300 meter long tunnel on the right bank of Jizera which brings water from the weir on Jizera to the power station under Spalov are technically really interesting.

Kost castle stands on a sandstone rock at the place where three valleys meet. In the valley approaching from the north-west from out of deep forests, immediately at the castle is a small pond and beyond it in the rocks are traces of ancient inhabitants. To the north is a valley with two larger ponds. The castle is reflected in the depths of Bily, the most distant is called Cerny. The ponds played an important role in the defence of the castle. From Libosovice approaches a third pretty valley - Prokopske. After combining, the three valleys continue below the castle in the picturesque valley of Klenice brook, which is lined by sandstone rocks and is called Plakanek (The Weeper). A series of legends address the sad title, but the truth is entirely prosaic. People who burned wood for charcoal below the castle had eye diseases due to the smoke, which caused their eyes to water and therefore they were called "plakankove" (the weepers) (according to other sources, a family of charcoal-burners was even given this name). Below the spot where the valleys combine from Vesec (Vesecky Plakanek), the well Roubenka gives up its water, a favourite spot for the writer, poet and playwright Frana Sramek (1877-1952).

Vustra

This pond, which is in the valley under the former Kozlov castle, well-hidden from worldly activity, ensures basic living conditions especially for particularly protected and endangered species of marsh flora and fauna with links to meadow and pond.

Zabakor

A large pond (45 hectares) below the northern slopes of Muzsky hill. Despite an unfavourable fate - for "neighbours" it has a road, railway line and highway - it has remained a paradise for waterfowl. Swimming is not permitted here.

Zehrovka