Discover Jesenný: a circular trail, a castle and a chapel

If you are planning a hotel stay in Jesenný, you can tailor your trip to different interests: the Údolím Vošmendy educational trail brings together the landscape and the history of the valley, while the castle and chapels offer insights into the history of the buildings. Jesenný railway station also provides a clear reference point for your journey.

Hiking trails and the history of the valley

The Údolím Vošmendy educational trail is a 5.5-kilometre circular route that can be walked in either direction and follows blue- and green-marked hiking trails. It runs along the boundary of the municipalities of Bozkov, Jesenný and Roztoky u Semil. Along the way, the trail offers exceptional views of the Ještědsko-kozákovský ridge, the Jizera Mountains and the western Krkonoše Mountains. Individual viewpoints and vegetation may change; check the condition of the trails locally.

The trail also explores the valley’s former uses: it provides information about the historic mining and processing of limestone and iron ore. Remnants of these activities are still visible to visitors today. Hikers who want to discover traces of regional history as well as enjoy the views can find both on this circular route.

A description from 2016 lists eleven information boards, rest areas, a climbing structure and interactive features for children as part of the trail’s facilities. These details relate to the facilities when the trail was established; check their current condition locally.

A circular route or a route section

The Palackého route offers another point of reference. The route description starts in Tanvald and passes through Jesenný and Bohuňovsko at kilometre 13. The route also includes a four-kilometre section between Jesenný and Podspálov. This puts two different distances into perspective for planning: a 5.5-kilometre circular route and a four-kilometre section between two places. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Castle and chapels

The Renaissance fortress in Jesenný was converted into an early Baroque castle; the castle dates from 1664. In 1715, a castle chapel dedicated to St John the Baptist was added. The castle grounds are freely accessible. Check local conditions before your visit.

The Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Povýšení sv. Kříže) is in the upper part of Jesenný, on Kalvárie Hill. The octagonal building was erected in 1734 by Maxmilián Rudolf Lamotte von Frintrop. Six polychrome statues line a brick balustrade in front of the chapel. The chapel on Kalvárie and the castle chapel dedicated to St John the Baptist are two different buildings, with their own dates and locations.

Railway station and travel planning

Jesenný railway station is on the Tanvald–Železný Brod railway line. If you plan to travel by train, check the current timetable for your travel dates. The route information helps with orientation; choose specific connections using the timetable.

Quarry lake: check access in advance

The private quarry in Jesenný can only be accessed through the base; visits must be arranged in advance. The access information was last updated on 14 June 2017. Confirm these conditions before visiting.

A dive-site listing, last updated on 14 June 2017, describes the quarry lake as a freshwater quarry with a maximum depth of 13 metres. Underwater, it lists, among other things, tench, carp and koi carp, sturgeon, eels, perch, pike and catfish, as well as crayfish and pond mussels. Structures the listing says divers can explore include a steel tower structure, the wreck of a Volkswagen minibus and a caisson. This description adds a distinct, advance-arranged activity to the hiking and architectural history.

Discover more destinations: Přepeře, Burany, Roprachtice, Mricna, Košov, Morcinov, Bítouchov, Tatobity

For the broader travel overview: Okres Semily.