The Kokořínsko viewpoints of Velká and Malá Buková: 14 km

• There are many great viewpoints in the beautiful Kokořínsko protected landscape area. However, few offer such spectacular views over the shining blue lake of Máchovo jezero or of Bezděz castle and the surrounding forests, as the viewpoints found just below the twin summits of Velká and Malá Buková. Unusually, these peaks have gentle slopes and are relatively low (Velká Buková is at 474m), so access is possible year round. This makes an excellent medium length trip in wintertime.
• A convenient starting point is the village of Ralsko, which is connected by bus with Mladá Boleslav. There are also several parking areas. Various routes of different lengths can be created which visit the viewpoints. A simple ‘there and back’ route from Ralsko village to the first viewpoint is around 10 km. However, the route suggested in the map below, circles through some different sections of Kokořínsko forest and past a number of low sandstone rock formations, on an attractive loop. The final section passes the impressive Ralsko solar plant – the largest in Bohemia (in 2020).
• The total suggested walk is 14 km long with 250m of height to ascend-descend. None of the paths are steep and the trails are all good, mostly sandy tracks in the forest. At the time of writing (March 2022) there appear to be no café or restaurant options in Ralsko village, so take sufficient refreshments for the trip.

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 in Ralkso village (the Kuřívody trail junction) follow the GREEN hiking trail in the direction of U kaliště, which is reached after 2.2 km
• At the U kaliště junction, turn left onto the RED trail and follow this for 2.2 km to reach the junction of Pod Velkou Bukovou. Here, turn right onto the YELLOW trail and continue for 600m to reach the first viewpoint
• Continue for 400m descending from Velká Buková to reach the saddle below Malá Buková
• To visit the viewpoints on Malá Buková continue on the YELLOW trail and loop around the smaller peak following the yellow triangle diversion signs and then return back to the saddle (the loop is around 700m in length – there can be some fallen trees on this route to navigate past)
• From the saddle descend into the valley on the YELLOW trail (it runs below the descent trail from Velká Buková)
• After 1.2 km reach a junction with the RED trail. Turn sharply left onto the RED trail and follow this for 1.3 km to reach the Strážov trail junction
• Continue on the RED trail to reach the junction of Pod Jedlovou roklí in 1.6 km. There, turn right onto the YELLOW trail and reurn to Ralkso village center in 3.8 km