*A fine circuit in the countryside near Novozámecký pond, starting at Jestřebí – 16 km*

• Walks in the Kokořínsko region often provide an unusually broad range of scenery; the area is of course known for its towering sandstone rock formations and for its quaint 18th and 19th century folk architecture and old farmsteads . Many trips also pass through pretty pine forest areas, filled with blueberry bushes, or visit quiet lakes, some of which are swimmable. Even better, there are many fine restaurants, pubs and inns offering quality refreshments on many of the circuits.
• Remarkably, the following walk includes all of these features in an undemanding medium length circuit starting in the historic village of Jestřebi, located 5 km northwest of Máchovo lake. Jestřebi has a well known rock castle built into a towering sandstone formation, that is definitely worth visiting. See the following page for a short trip in the area, including to the castle.
• The route described here is a 16 km circular tour, which leaves Jestřebi following the final section of the Máchová cesta (a 60 km long distance trail named after the 19th century romantic poet K.H. Mácha) as it completes its journey in the village of Zahrádky. Zahrádky has a large 17th century chateau, which was owned at one time by the imperial generalissimo, Albrecht Valdštejn. The chateau is currently undergoing renovation but has a an extensive English park area. There are a couple of interesting pubs in the village offering refreshment.
• From Zahrádky, the trail then passes around the nature reserve of Novozámecký pond, which has a couple of bird watching lookouts and interesting views. Just before reaching the pond, there are signs to the Bistro Stodola Karasy, which is a newly refurbished barn serving good food (On Fridays and weekends) in a forest setting. The route then crosses farming countryside, dotted with large picturesque farmsteads.
• The final leg of the journey passes close to the Provodínská pískovna, a former sand quarry now filled with water and very popular for swimming – it is a safe site with shallow water. The path to the pool is not signposted, so it necessary to follow the map closely.
• Once back in Jestřebí there a further opportunities for refreshment at one of the restaurants near the main road. Both the photogenic 17th century timbered Inn, Hostinec Na Rychtě, and it neighbor Restaurace Pod Habsteinem serve good food.
• The route is mostly on quiet roads and flat farm tracks. The only challenging section is a short steep climb into some sandstone rock formations on a forest footpath, shortly after leaving Jestřebí. This is part of the Máchová cesta. There is just a total of 110m of height to ascend-descend on the whole route.

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

• Jestřebí can be reached by regular bus from Mladá Boleslav-Doksy and there is even a direct bus connection with Prague. For drivers, there are parking spots in the village, near the main road.
• The route starts by crossing the main road opposite the Hostinec Na Rychtě timbered inn, joining the RED trail (Máchovo cesta)
• After a 900m flat section the trail climbs steeply towards the sandstone rocks (part way up the climb there is a small diversion to a viewpoint)
• After climbing for 300m the trail branches, with the GREEN trail continuing uphill. Continue on the RED trail
• After a section in the sandstone rock gorge and a short section in the forest, the trail emerges in open countryside near the village of Borek. From here, the route is completely flat on quiet roads and farm tracks
• After a 1.9 km section on a farm track, reach the church of St.Barbora with its photogenic 16th century bell tower
• Continue 1 km on the RED trail to reach the village of Zahrádky (chateau, English park and two interesting pubs to explore if time permits)
• After exploring Zahrádky, join the YELLOW trail in the direction of Karasy
• After 1.3 km on the YELLOW trail , there are signs marking the side trail to visit the (recommended) Bistro Stodola
• Continue on the YELLOW trail, with the Novozámecký pond on the right – after 800m there is a short diversion to a bird watching tower – the view is highly recommended
• Continue on the YELLOW trail to reach the Karasy trail junction after 3.2 km. Here, turn right onto the BLUE trail in the direction of Jestřebi
• After 1.2 km on the left there is a footpath entering the forest area (there are often a few cars parked nearby). This trail leads in 150m to the Provodínská pískovna natural swimming pool
• Continue a further 1.1 km on the BLUE trail until reaching the cross roads (and the junction with the GREEN trail – map point 10)
• Turn right onto the GREEN trail and follow this beside the public road for 1.1 km until reaching Jestřebi church.
• Here, turn right onto the RED trail which leads back to the parking, castle and bus stop area near the main road in 500m