Swap Your Skis for Hiking Boots and Head Out for a Winter Walk!
Winter may tempt you to reach for your skis or cross-country gear, but why not set out on foot this time? Even in the colder months, you can enjoy peaceful landscapes, sweeping views and places that take on a completely different atmosphere in winter. Northern Bohemia offers plenty of routes, from easy woodland walks and scenic circuits to mountain hikes. We have selected five winter walks from across the Liberec Region. All you need to do is choose the route that suits you, put on a sturdy pair of boots and set off.
Tábor and Allain Tower in Bohemian Paradise
Our first winter walk takes us to Bohemian Paradise, specifically to Tichánek Lookout Tower on Mount Tábor and the nearby Allain Tower. Both places lie near Lomnice nad Popelkou and offer beautiful views across the surrounding countryside. One advantage of this area is the choice of several routes, allowing you to tailor the length of your walk to your own needs. One option is to park directly by the lookout tower, where you will also find a guesthouse with a restaurant, and follow the blue hiking trail to Allain Tower. You can return along the same route or make a pleasant circuit by following the yellow and then the red trail back to the guesthouse. Both options are approximately four kilometres long and are suitable for families with children.
For a longer walk, you can start directly from the railway station in Lomnice nad Popelkou. Follow the green hiking trail along Antala Staška Street to the Košov junction, then continue on the red trail to the lookout tower. Return to the station along the blue trail via the Stations of the Cross.
Frýdlantská výšina Lookout Tower in the Jizera Mountains
We will stay with lookout towers for a little longer, but this time head to Frýdlant, where the Frýdlantská výšina lookout tower rises above the town. You can park on Hrnčířské náměstí and follow the yellow hiking trail to the top. From the tower, views open up towards Frýdlant Castle and Chateau on the opposite hill, the peaks of the Jizera Mountains and neighbouring Poland. To avoid returning the same way, follow the red trail back and turn the walk into a pleasant circuit.
While you are in Frýdlant, we also recommend taking a walk around the castle and chateau. Although it is closed during the winter months, the exterior is still well worth seeing. If you need to warm up, stop at Vločka café or the Jazzová osvěžovna, where a hot drink and welcoming atmosphere will warm you up despite the playful name.
Rock Relief Trail in Brniště
Our next tip takes you to the small village of Brniště in the Mácha Region, home to the easy yet highly impressive Rock Relief Trail. You can leave your car at the car park directly by the trail and then follow the yellow hiking route to discover unusual works of art hidden in the sandstone rocks. The reliefs were created in 2018 by artists from Czechia and Germany. As you walk through the forest, you will come across carved faces, figures and other motifs that blend subtly into the surrounding landscape and often only reveal themselves at a second glance.
As this is a very short and relaxed route, you can easily combine it with the Water Goblin Trail on the other side of the village. It is around six kilometres long and features 11 themed stops focusing on water, local nature and fairy-tale creatures. Families with children will especially enjoy it, but adults will also find it a pleasant winter walk.
Jablonné v Podještědí
Another easy winter walk awaits in Jablonné v Podještědí, a small town with plenty to discover. Start on Náměstí Míru, where you can park your car, and continue to the Minor Basilica of St Lawrence and St Zdislava. This important monument underwent extensive renovation in 2023, and you can also visit its interior. It is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm.
If you feel like extending the walk, follow the green hiking trail around Markvartický Pond towards Lemberk Chateau. Although the chateau is closed during the winter months, the route itself and the view of the building in the quiet winter landscape make it a lovely destination for a seasonal outing.
Benecko and Žalý Lookout Tower
Our final tip takes us to the Krkonoše Mountains, specifically to the village of Benecko. Leave your car at the central car park and follow the red-marked Buchar Trail past Hotel Kubát to the lookout tower on Přední Žalý. This is home to the only stone lookout tower in the Krkonoše Mountains, and the route itself offers a pleasant winter atmosphere and attractive views of the surrounding countryside. Another good reason to reach the top is the restaurant beside the tower, where you can warm up and refuel. From the tower, continue along the red hiking trail and, at the junction, follow the road back to the car park, creating an easy circular route suitable for a winter walk.
If you are more of a skier than a walker, you can also reach the lookout tower by chairlift, which is part of the ski area in Herlíkovice. Benecko and its surroundings also offer several smaller ski lifts, making the area a good choice for both relaxed winter walks and active days in the snow.
