Along the Jizera from Zvířetice to Michalovice via Radouč nature reserve – 12 km to 17 km

• The scenic Jizera river flows for 167 km from its source in the Jizerské mountains in northern Bohemia to join the river Labe near Brandys just north of Prague. Many sections of the river are lined with Medieval castles and romantic ruins. The central stretch of river that runs through the Český ráj sandstone region through to Mladá Boleslav was controlled for several centuries by one dominant northern Bohemian family, the Markvarts, who first appeared in the 12th century as important figures at the Přemyslid court.
• There were several historically important branches of the family, including the Lemberks, the Vartenberks, the Wallensteins, the Lords of Michalovice and the Lords of Zvířetice. All built castles along the Jizera at various times in history. Most of those castles ultimately were acquired by the famous imperial warlord Albrecht of Valdštejn after the Battle of White Mountain in 1620. Albrecht himself was a member of Markvart family and in effect consolidated the family holdings for a short period, until his murder in 1634.
• Two of the most spectacular ruins of Markvart family castles are situated on the west bank of the river a short distance from Mladá Boleslav. Zvířetice was founded by Zdislav, a son of Havel and Zdislava (later Saint Zdislava) of Lemberk, in the early 14th century. The Gothic castle was remodeled into a Renaissance chateau by the Vartenberk family in the 16th century. It was abandoned after successive fires in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its spectacular ruined profile has attracted artists and poets even since then. There is a new information office located below the castle, which is open year round.
• A little further along the river is the ruin of Michalovice, founded in the 13th century and most notable for its remarkable ‘leaning tower’, caused by undermining of the foundations in the 19th century, possibly by treasure hunters.
• Opposite Michalovice castle on a sandstone plateau overlooking the river is the small nature reserve of Radouč, which is popular in summer time for its large colony of friendly squirrels. The walk along the cliff edge in Radouč also offers good views of the Jizera and the castle opposite.
• A good starting point for visiting these attractions along the Jizera is the train station near Zvířetice (it is the Bakov nad Jizerou stop), which is on a regional train line connecting with Mladá Boleslav. Zvířetice also has a small free parking area below the castle near the information office. There is a convenient footbridge across the Jizera close to Zvířetice qiving quick access to the eastern side of the river with an attractive path which runs beside the river through the village of Josefův Důl (location of one of Bohemia’s first textile manufacturers, founded by the Leitenberger family in 1764) and then on to Radouč.
• From Radouč, the suggested route crosses the river again and follows another riverside road to reach Michalovice. It is possible to circle back to Zvířetice on a variety of footpaths, but this adds 5 – 8 km to the journey. A shorter option is to catch the regional train from the nearby station of Mladá Boleslav-Debř, which is on the same regional line as Zvířetice.
• The total route outlined above (taking the train back from Debř) is 11.6 km with 230m of height to ascend-descend. None of the paths are particularly steep. There are refreshment options at various points, including in the Zvířetice information office and in Josefův Důl.

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Directions

• Starting at Bakov nad Jizerou station follow the BLUE hiking trail along the road in the direction of Zvířetice
• After 700m reach the information office, where a short educational trail up to the castle begins
• After visiting the info office, return back along the road on the BLUE trail for 20m and then turn left up the hill to visit the castle ruins
• Return back to the road after visiting the castle. Cross the road and take the track between two houses, which soon crosses the fields towards the river
• At the end of the path across the meadows is a footbridge across the river. Take the bridge and on the far side turn right onto the RED hiking trail
• Follow the riverside path for 2.7 km to reach the edge of the village of Josefův Důl. On the right side in the partly restored 19th century chateau built by the Leitenberger textile family
• Continue 400m on the RED trail to the center of the village and at the trail junction take the YELLOW trail in the direction of Mladá Boleslav (passing below the tomb of Leitenberger family)
• After 2 km reach the nature reserve of Radouč – the squirrel colony is best observed in the meadows. Also take the chance to divert into the forest and take the cliff edge footpath for its views over the river towards Michalovice
• At the edge of the nature reserve at the Radouč – zahrádky trail junction turn right and head down hill on the YELLOW trail (direction Michalovice)
• Cross the river and follow the YELLOW trail for 1.1 km to reach the Michalovice trail junction
• To visit the castle ruins, leave the marked hiking trails and walk up the road and then footpath to reach the ruins in 200m
• Return back to the Michalovice trail junction and join the RED trail heading the direction of Debř
• After 1.9 km reach the Debř junction. The train station is 200m along the road. If preferring to walk back to Bakov nad Jizerou station, follow the RED trail back to Josefův Důl and retrace the outbound route (it is a 5.3 km walk back from Debř to the Bakov station)