Between Liberec and the Polish border lie the Jizera Mountains: rounded granite summits, dark peat bogs, beech forests and a scattering of old glassmaking hamlets. They are lower and gentler than the Krkonoše next door, far less visited, and — for photography — arguably more atmospheric, because everything here is intimate rather than vast.
1. Jizerka hamlet
Upper plateau · Map ↗
A tiny settlement of wooden houses in a high meadow, surrounded by bog and forest. Feels like the end of the world, forty minutes from a motorway.
2. Granite tors (Ptačí kupy, Jizera summit)
Ridge tops · Map ↗
Weathered rock towers standing out of the trees, reached by short marked paths — big views without big effort.
3. Peat-bog boardwalks
Rašeliniště Jizerky · Map ↗
Boardwalks over black water, dwarf pines and cotton grass. Otherworldly, especially in morning mist.
4. Bedřichov & Josefův Důl reservoirs
Southern slopes · Map ↗
Stone dams and still water ringed by spruce — reflections and quiet, minutes from Liberec.
5. Beech woods above Hejnice
Northern slopes · Map ↗
Old beech forest that turns copper in October, with a baroque pilgrimage basilica in the valley below.
Gentle mountains, real atmosphere
Most of the best spots are twenty to forty minutes' walk from a car park on good paths. That accessibility, combined with genuinely wild-feeling scenery, makes the Jizerky ideal for couples who want landscape photography without turning the day into an expedition.
Pairing with Liberec and Ještěd
Liberec sits at the foot of the range, with the Ještěd tower on the ridge above it — a space-age hotel and one of the most distinctive buildings in Europe. A Jizerky morning and a Ještěd sunset make an outstanding single day.
Frequently asked questions
How far are the Jizera Mountains from Prague?
About an hour and a half by car to Liberec, then twenty to forty minutes into the hills. It is one of the closest mountain landscapes to Prague.
Are the peat bogs accessible?
Yes, on boardwalks in the protected areas — you must stay on them, which is both a rule and a kindness to a fragile landscape. The boardwalks themselves photograph beautifully.
Which season is best?
October for beech colour and bog mist, and winter for snow-laden spruce. Summer is green and quiet on weekdays; spring can be very wet underfoot.
Can we combine this with the Ještěd tower?
Easily — Ještěd is right above Liberec at the southern edge of the range. Many couples do bogs and forest in the morning and the tower at sunset.