A short walk around the Jizerské pilgrimage town of Hejnice: 4 km

• The town of Hejnice, on the northern side of the Jizerské mountains, has been known as a pilgrimage location for over 900 hundred years. The pilgrimage church in Hejnice, according to legend, dates back to 1211. The Franciscan Order founded a monastery here in 1692 at the invitation of Count František Gallas and constructed the impressive Basilika of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in the 18th century. The Franciscans ran the important monastery for over 250 years, until communist rule saw the site gradually fall into disrepair.
• At the end of the 20th century, with the support of EU funding, the complex was renovated and took on a new lease of life as a spiritual centre, offering accommodation and other facilities. The site is free to walk around and there are interesting exhibition areas.
• Hejnice is a good base for some fine walks in the northern part of the Jizerské mountains, including trips to Smrk, the highest peak in the Czech Jizera mountains and to the fabulous rocky viewpoints of Ořeštník and Frýdlantské cimbuří. However, Hejnice is worth exploring for itself on a short walk. There are various viewpoints close to the town (including the rocky lookout called  Poustevníkův kámen) and the 3.7 km route shown below should provide ample opportunity for photographing the spectacular Basilika.
• The route up to  Poustevníkův kámen involves 100m of ascent and is not really suitable for strollers. For refreshments in Hejnice, there are various options including a restaurant in the monastery. Overlooking the Basilica is a nice café, with a terrace – the Kavárna Hugo.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Starting at the Hejnice train station (where there is free parking and also good bus connections with the rest of the region), join the RED trail heading towards Hejnice Basilika, which is reached in 500m
• From the Basilika, join the GREEN trail crossing the river on the road bridge and continuing for 300m until reaching the Poustevníkův kámen junction
• At the junction tourn right and head uphill following the green diversion markers – green triangles – to reach the viewpoint after 500m
• Return back to the main road bidge on the outbound path but instead of crossing the bridge turn right to follow the RED trail for a section. This offers good views over the Basilika
• Cross the river using one of the footbridges and join the YELLOW trail which leads around the Basilika to return back to the front courtyard and the café area