Zaborci: Drábovna, Hiking Trails and Cultural Traces

Nearby is Drábovna, a small rock town on the right bank of the Jizera. Hiking trails include Záborčí along their route. There is also a relief wayside cross and a biographical connection to Alois Liška. These different places, routes and cultural traces give you several starting points for planning your trip according to your own interests.

Drábovna: Rock Formations and History

Drábovna is located near Záborčí on the right bank of the Jizera and is a small rock town. Its geological features include sandstone blocks, numerous mushroom- or honeycomb-shaped rock formations, and small caves called Foukané díry. If you are interested in sandstone and rock formations, this offers a specific natural feature to consider when planning your trip. There are also remains of a Neolithic settlement and a medieval castle at Drábovna. These two periods add archaeological and historical traces to the geological features. This makes it possible to appreciate the landscape and the past as different interests at the same destination.

Hiking Trails and Route Planning

A blue-marked hiking trail climbs through Záborčí to Drábovna. The access route is 3 kilometres long. Another route description covers the “Vazoveckým údolím kolem Drábovny” route: it is 12 kilometres long and has 221 metres of elevation gain. The route runs from U Voděrad through Záborčí to the main road between Malá Skála and Turnov. It is suitable for pushchairs and seniors; dry conditions are recommended.

The Zlatá stezka Českého ráje leads from Dolánky via Bukovina and Záborčí to Drábovna. The Zlatá stezka crosses a first-class road. The fourth day of the Zlatá stezka is a 12-kilometre stage from Turnov to Malá Skála. The two 12-kilometre figures therefore refer to different route descriptions: for the “Vazoveckým údolím kolem Drábovny” route, 221 metres of elevation gain and a route through Záborčí are also specified; for the Zlatá stezka stage, Turnov and Malá Skála are the endpoints. When comparing them, it is therefore worth considering the route name and course as well as the distance.

Cultural Traces in Záborčí

The relief wayside cross in Záborčí is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Army General Alois Liška was born in Záborčí near Malá Skála. For those interested in culture, these are two different points of interest: a listed monument in the village and a biographical connection through the place of birth. At Drábovna, these are complemented by the remains of the Neolithic settlement and medieval castle.

To decide whether Zaborci is right for your trip, you can first choose your focus: a named hiking route, the sandstone landscape at Drábovna, or the cultural connections in Záborčí. Route lengths and elevation gains help you assess the hiking options; the relief wayside cross and Liška’s birthplace offer another way to explore the area’s themes.

For the wider travel overview: Kleinskal.