Must-See Tips for Your Adventure in Trojzemí, Hrádek nad Nisou, and the Lusatian Mountains

The Liberec Region is a beautiful blend of nature, impressive mountains, historic towns, and monuments. It features the eastern foothills of the Lusatian Mountains and their slopes. There are numerous spots to unwind, revitalize, and discover new experiences, like visiting the still hidden gems along the Czech-German border.

1. Trojmezí near Hrádek nad Nisou

1. Trojmezí near Hrádek nad Nisou
In Europe, there are many places where three countries converge. One such place is the Czech-German-Polish Tri-border, located north of Hrádek nad Nisou and south of the German town of Zittau / Zittau, at the meeting point of the Lusatian Neisse river and the Oldřichovský brook. You can reach this spot from Hrádek via a bike path or by walking around Kristýna lake. However, to get to Poland, you can only use a footbridge, as there is no bridge crossing the Nisa yet. If you want to continue your journey from the Tri-border to Germany, you’ll need to cross the Lusatian Neisse south of Kristýna at the Old Customs House and follow the Odra-Nisa cycle routes.

2. Kristýna and other tips on where to go to the water

Despite being in the Lusatian Mountains, there are great spots for swimming here too. If you’re looking for a lovely place to spend a summer day or just want to cool off after a tough hike, Kristýna lake in Hrádek nad Nisou is a fantastic option. This former lignite quarry is fed by natural springs, keeping the water clean and refreshing during the summer. There are several restaurants available, as well as options like a rope park and boat rentals. You can also find a rejuvenated natural swimming pool nearby in Chrastava or in Jablonné v Podještědí.

3. Grabštejn Castle, the jewel of the Tri-Country

Grabštejn Castle, perched on a rocky hill above the village of Chotyně near Hrádek nad Nisou, stands out as a quintessential symbol of the region. It’s about four kilometers from the town center to the castle entrance, making it an excellent opportunity for a lovely stroll while touring the Renaissance home of the Gallas and Clam-Gallas families. You’ll have the chance to explore the castle’s unique Renaissance chapel of St. Barbara, an archaeological exhibit, and a veterinary museum showcasing the history of military dog training. Alternatively, there’s a special children’s path that includes a treasure hunt for a lost key.

4. Hrádek nad Nisou

The town of Hrádek nad Nisou was first mentioned in writing back in 1287, indicating it had existed for some time prior. It was part of the Grabštejn estate since the 13th century. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the town thrived as a center for machine and textile manufacturing, and lignite was extracted locally. The Kristýna opencast mine operated until 1972, and it is now filled with water, creating great recreational opportunities for Hrádek residents thanks to Kristýna lake. The charming Upper Square has been designated as an urban conservation area since 2003 and is dominated by the beautiful Church of St. Bartholomew with its impressive Baroque details.

5. Unique vernacular architecture and sub-tower houses

Every region has its own distinct folk architecture, and for the Lusatian Mountains, you’ll see houses built with a half-timbered style, featuring a stone base and slate roofs. The Wooden Lobster Houses are iconic in the Czech-Polish-German tri-border area, found in both urban settings and on mountainous terrains. As you explore, look around and admire these charming thatched homes, like the information center located on Horní náměstí in Hrádek nad Nisou. You’ll also find similar houses in Mařenice, Heřmanice, Horní and Dolní Světlá, Krompach, Jablonné v Podještědí, and more.

6. Lusatian Mountains or small big mountains

Though the tallest peaks of the Lusatian Mountains are under 800 meters above sea level, they still present a grand mountain experience, just on a smaller scale. They are situated between the Jizera Mountains, the Bohemian Central Highlands, and Bohemian Switzerland, each area contributing unique elements to the landscape. The Lusatian Mountains feature sandstone formations and rocky towns from Bohemian Switzerland, volcanic features and cone-shaped peaks from the Bohemian Central Highlands, and extended ridges from the Jizera Mountains. The mountains rise steeply from the lush, undulating landscape, making them appear taller than they are. Each challenging hike rewards you not with souvenirs or stamps, but with breathtaking views.

7. Lusatian Seven Hundreds

Even if the Lusatian Mountains seem low, tackling the ten peaks over 700 meters is still a delightful challenge, even for seasoned hikers. The tallest is Luž at 793 meters, with the Czech-German border running through it. There’s a viewing terrace on the Czech side and a lookout tower on the German side. Close behind is Finch Hill at 792 meters, which lacks a hiking trail. The third highest peak is Jedlová (774 m), featuring a lookout tower. While Klíč (760 m) provides one of the most magnificent circular views, Hvozd (749 m) has an old Czech inn and restaurants on the German side, accessible by car. The sixth highest is Studenec (737 m), which includes another lookout tower, followed by Velký (736 m) and Malý Buk (713 m), alongside the 710-meter border hill Weberberg (711 m) and Stormy (703 m).

8. Popova skála and a view to three countries

From afar, Popova skála resembles a mysterious castle ruin, but it is actually a large sandstone rock with a rock lookout on top. Comfortable stairs lead to the 565-meter summit, where you can enjoy views that span across three countries at once! You’ll also see various peaks of the Lusatian Mountains, the iconic Ještěd of the Liberec region, and the extensive opencast coal mines in nearby Poland. From Hrádek nad Nisou, marked hiking paths can guide you to this lookout, with the shortest route being about five kilometers long.

9. Czech Gate

You can also reach Popova skála with a detour from Loučná towards the Cikánský kout crossroads, then continue along a trail that runs along the border between the Czech Republic and Germany, through the White Stream valley. This trail is lined with numerous sandstone formations, including a pair of rocks known as the Czech Gate. The path and the border run between these stones, which are marked with modern border markers, along with the year 1831 and the letters Z, indicating their proximity to the German town of Zittau.

10. Fox’s pulpit and other rock formations

Bohemian Gate is also favored by climbers, but not extensively. More appealing to them are the rocky formations on the German side, such as A sack of flour (Mehlsack), Howl Rocks (Uhustein), and Diana’s Wall (Dianawand). One can hike up to the viewpoint known as Fox’s pulpit (Fuchskanzel), which provides a lovely perspective of Zittau and the town of Hrádek nad Nisou. Additionally, the ruins of Karlsfried, a guard castle, are located between the valley of the White Stream and the Žitava-Lückendorf road.

A leap across the border

• Just beyond the border is Zittau / Zittau, the southernmost and easternmost town in Saxony. It boasts many historical attractions, especially the impressive historic Markt Square, featuring a towering seven-story town hall, the Salzkammergut / Salzhaus, alongside the Butcher’s Bastion with its famous floral clock. Climbing the 266 steps to the top of St. John’s Church / Johannisturm offers wonderful views in all directions.
• Among the city’s most valuable treasures are the Lenten canvases, which include the Large canvas from 1472 (8.20 m x 6.8 m, depicting 90 scenes from the Old and New Testament, displayed in the museum of the Church of the Holy Cross) and the Small Zittau Lenten Canvas from 1573, which can be seen in the former Franciscan monastery, now known as the Kulturhistorisches Museum Franziskanerkloster.
• For Czech tourists, the alluring Zittau narrow gauge railway is a major point of interest. This railway features steam-powered trains that run from Zittau to the spa towns Jonsdorf Resort and Oybin resort. The train service operates all year round, following a set timetable from the railway station in Zittau. It takes about 50 minutes to reach Jonsdorf and only 15 minutes to get to Bertrand station from Zittau.
• Above the spa town of Kurort Oybin, a majestic ruins of Oybin Castle / Oybin sits atop a sandstone table mountain. This area features a historic monastery with a church partly carved into the rock, built by Charles IV. Within the site, you can explore the original cemetery of the monastery, a small museum, and a Swiss-style restaurant, all offering stunning romantic vistas. It remains open throughout the year.