Along the Mravenčí nature trail from Bedřichov to the Královka lookout tower: 4 km

• Bedřichov is the classic entry point for visitors to the Jizerské hory, whether cross country skiing in winter or biking and hiking for the rest of the year. The village has good bus connections with Liberec and Jablonec, extensive (paid) parking areas and an increasing number of pensions and restaurants for those staying longer than a day.
• A popular walk, especially for families, from the center of Bedřichov is the short hike up to the Královka lookout tower on Nekras hill (859m) along the Mravenčí (‘Ants’) nature trail. The trail is only one km or so long and features life size wood carvings of animals inhabiting the Jizerské forests, together with a short information panel.
• Královka lookout is a stone tower, which replaced the late 19th century wooden tower and offers a panoramic view after ascending the 102 steps (payment required). On Nekras hill there are a number of refreshment options, but an additional short (flat) walk from Královka, leads to the Restaurace Prezidentská chata. This typical Jizerské mountain hut serves good food and is very popular, especially on sunny weekends – arrive early if hoping for a spot on those days!
• The total route from the Bedřichov stadion area (where there are bus stops and the large (paid) central parking, is 1.9km. The same route can be taken on the way back or for a (slightly longer) circular trip, there is an alternative track leading through the forest behind the Prezidentská restaurant. This is the route shown in the map below and involves 150m of height to ascend /descend. The nature trail path is not difficult, but it is an uneven uphill forest footpath, so not ideal with a stroller.

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

• From the central parking/bus stop area next to Bedřichov – stadium, take the YELLOW hiking trail in the direction of Královka. This leads directly to the lookout tower after 1.2 km
• From the lookout, if wanting to visit the Prezidentská restaurant (or take the circular route back to Bedřichov), take the GREEN hiking trail for 200m along the road and turn left at the sign post to reach the restaurant in 340m
• For the circular route, continue past the Prezidentská restaurant on the forest track for 400m until there is a turn to the left. Take this turn, which leads along another forest road for 700m, to reach the Bedřichovská pětka trail junction
• At the junction, turn left onto the RED trail to return back to the Bedřichov stadion in 1.5 km