ubytování a restaurace Liberec

   Liberec–Horni Hanychov (last tram stop, ramblers’ trail marked in blue) – Junction beneath the peak 3.5 km – Jested (peak) 4 km.

   One of the most traditional and oldest ascents from the Horni Hanychov suburb of Liberec to Jested, which for the main part follows the tracks of the founder of the renowned Horsky Spolek (Mountain Association), Adolf Hoffmann, upon whose initiative the famous Jested bobsleigh run was built at the start of the 20th century almost parallel to the trail. The difference in height above sea level between the top and bottom of the path’s four kilometres is a rather substantial 462 metres. The lower reaches of the trail wander through spruce forestry close to the Liberec– Na Vyprezi road, but not far from the Virive Kameny (Turbulent Rocks) it passes into the peak area with numerous quartz rocks and a long–distance view over Liberec. The path is not suitable for cyclists at any of the sections.

The Virive rocks are some of the most beautiful stones on Jested Ridge

   The ramblers’ trail marked in blue begins at the end of the tramway in Horni Hanychov. The first records of the old mountain village of Horni Hanychov go back to the year 1560 and due to its unique position at the foot of Jested it has been considered a significant resort for tourism and winter sports since the end of the 19th century. The path leads past the housing on the right towards the woods, from which a fine view over Liberec and Jizerske Hory (Jizera Mountains) can be seen (a little lower down a place can be found which is still occasionally named even today after the former restaurant Krasna Vyhlidka, or beautiful view). What used to be the final bend of the old sankarska draha (bobsleigh run) is nearby. This was built between 1909 and 1911 and staged a number of international races. You then come to a road, under which the tunnel the sledgers used on their journey down to Hanychov is still visible. The trail follows the road for a few dozen metres before crossing it and entering the woods, where some remains of a newer bobsleigh run have survived till today.

   Climb up through spruce woods as far as the place where the so–called Television Path (named after the task it is used for during ski–jumping competitions – television transmission vehicles approach the ramp along it) branches off. Upon entering the forest the half–dry Marianska Studanka (St. Mary’s Well) literally cowers down on the right. The name is not original, but was passed on from the forest on the right where strong springs could once be found, today channelled away and feeding the water supply in Horni Sucha in Liberec. A few metres from the well stands a cross commemorating the forester Josef Dvorak, who suffered a stroke here in the 1960s whilst preparing a Christmas tree for Liberec.

   Continue along the trail down a sunken path further into the mountain, where there are noticeable shreds of quartz around almost every step. After climbing onto Jested Road which links the Na Vyprezi saddle with the peak of Jested, the quartz rock formation Virive Kameny (turbulent rocks) appear before you, distantly recalling Alpine peaks with their raggedness and sharp points (the individual pillars even have Alpine names, such as Matterhorn, Breithorn, Lyskamm etc.). The Turbulent Rocks were one of the cradles of Liberec mountain–climbing on the turn of the 20th century.

   The blue trail climbs up to the peak through land that was declared the Natural Monument of Jested Terrace in 1996. Several expanses of quartz stone are amongst other noteworthy things here. The path meets the road immediately under vrchol Jested (Jested peak, 1 012 metres above sea level, described in detail in a separate chapter), which can be reached by a short path through the mountain pines. You can go back the same way or by following the red trail across Plane pod Jestedem (the Plain under Jested), or alternatively go down by cable car from the peak or by chair lift from Cerny Vrch (Black Hill).

The Rohan stone on the peak of Jested